Introweek 2026 recap & aftermovie

From 24 to 28 August 2026, EBS welcomed its newest Ebsters with a week full of new connections, shared experiences, learning, challenges, and plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Throughout the week, new students got to know EBS, Tallinn, and most importantly, each other. From the first introductions to some of our most loved Introweek traditions, the week gave our newest Ebsters a first taste of what it means to be part of the EBS community.

Take a look back at Introweek 2026 and relive some of the best moments of the week!

The photos of the whole week can be found here: EBS INTROWEEK 2026

Welcome to EBS

Introweek is about much more than finding your way around campus or preparing for your first classes. It’s where new connections begin, study groups start becoming communities, and our newest Ebsters begin to feel that they are truly part of EBS.

Throughout the week, we saw new friendships forming, students stepping outside their comfort zones, and the EBS community coming together to welcome its newest members.

The Journey Started at Roosta

For our new master’s students, the EBS experience started with a weekend at Roosta. The traditional Master’s Bootcamp brought MBA and MA students together for their first study sessions, but just as importantly, gave them time to meet, talk, and get to know each other outside the classroom.

Between learning, shared experiences, and time spent together, the weekend set the tone for the journey ahead and gave our master’s students a chance to start building their EBS community from the very beginning.

A Warm Welcome to International Students

For our international degree and exchange students, Monday began with a warm welcome to their new home. During two Welcome to Estonia sessions, students got to know Estonia a little better, from practical tips about everyday life to local culture, habits, and everything that might feel new at first.

They also heard from students who had once arrived in Estonia with many of the same questions and experiences. It was a chance to ask, share, laugh, and most importantly, meet others who were also starting a new chapter far from home.

Later that day, students headed out together for the Old Town Tour, discovering Tallinn’s medieval streets and stories while getting to know each other along the way. For many, it was their first proper introduction to Tallinn and a chance to start making the city feel a little more like home.

Officially Ebsters

Monday brought all our new students together for the Opening Ceremony, marking the official start of their EBS journey.

Students were welcomed by the EBS leadership team, got a first glimpse of Eedu, our new campus opening in 2027, enjoyed a musical performance by Regina, and tested their EBS knowledge in a fun fact game.

The ceremony ended with one of the most special moments of the day, as all freshmen stood together to take the freshmen’s oath and officially became Ebsters.

Getting Ready for EBS

Introweek gave our new students time to get to know both the people they’ll be studying with and what life at EBS will look like.

It started with Meet Your Coursemates, where study groups came together to break the ice and turn new faces into familiar ones. Over the two days, the Introweek seminars brought students together through activities, discussions, and teamwork, while exploring how to make the most of their studies at EBS.

The academic programme wrapped up with Information Session: Academic & Campus Life Essentials, giving students the practical knowledge they need to start their studies with confidence, from academic expectations and student services to everyday life at EBS.

Tallinn Became Our Playground

Then it was time to take Introweek out into the city. During the Scavenger Hunt, teams headed into Tallinn’s Old Town to solve clues, complete challenges, and put their teamwork to the test.

Along the way, students discovered fun facts and traditions about EBS, met EBS staff and faculty in a completely different setting, and got to know their fellow Ebsters while racing through the city.

There was plenty of competition, laughter, and team spirit, making the Scavenger Hunt once again one of the most fun ways to experience Tallinn together.

A Legendary Night on the Bay

Wednesday evening brought one of the most anticipated Introweek traditions, the legendary Boat Party. Tickets sold out quickly, and with DJ Ray, Tallinn’s skyline in the background, and plenty of dancing, the evening once again lived up to its reputation.

After returning to shore, the night continued at After the Bay at Fonoteek, bringing even more Ebsters together for the official afterparty.

From sunset on the water to a packed dance floor in Telliskivi, it was definitely a night to remember.

Insights from the World of Banking

On Thursday, the EBS Investment Club welcomed Coop Pank CEO Arko Kurtmann to EBS for a conversation about his journey from Põlva to the top of Estonian banking.

Students had the chance to hear his story, learn more about the experiences that have shaped his journey, and ask their own questions along the way.

Inspirational Talks Night: Three Stories, Plenty of Lessons

Thursday evening brought three EBS alumni back to share the lessons they have learned through their own choices, detours, successes, and mistakes.

• Ken Põldis reflected on some of his most valuable lessons learned outside the syllabus. His time in the EBS Student Council was his first experience of managing a real budget and leading people at that scale, while his career at Nasdaq taught him not to be intimidated by a room full of important people. At the end of the day, they are still people, and you should be ready to speak up and ask questions. Ken also shared one of his biggest “what ifs”, never going on exchange, and his decision to later take a nine-month career break to travel and figure out what he wanted next. His message to students was to take the opportunities in front of them and be bold in making decisions. You rarely have all the information, and confidence often comes afterwards.
• Kalle-Rasmus Volkov, Head of Software Engineering at Iute Group and Head of the Product and Technology Management programme at EBS, looked back at more than 15 years of leadership and the lessons that did not always come the easy way. He spoke about taking on management roles before really knowing how to lead, and about putting his own studies aside until the lack of a degree eventually closed a door for him professionally. That pushed him back to EBS, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in two years. His advice was clear: do not postpone your studies while you have the time to finish them. When it comes to leadership and decisions, trust your gut, but do not rush, and learn which battles are actually worth fighting.
• Anella Veebel showed what taking the leap into entrepreneurship can look like in real life. Her first experiments started with a JA student company selling charcoal black ice cream, an idea that did not exactly turn into a financial success, but certainly gave her an early taste of entrepreneurship. After gaining experience in different roles, she eventually put her own savings into opening Whippet in Rotermann, despite not everyone believing that the idea would work. The journey also meant finding the right people to build with and, as Anella put it, “kissing many frogs” along the way, which taught her just how much the right partners matter. Her story was ultimately an optimistic one: put yourself in situations that feel uncomfortable, be willing to try, and take the leap. Whatever happens, you come away with either a result or a lesson.

A New EBS Tradition Begins

Friday brought something completely new to Introweek, the very first EBS Challenge at Krulli Kvartal.

New and returning Ebsters came together to take on a series of unexpected challenges that tested teamwork, quick thinking, confidence, and courage. There were plenty of surprises along the way, but most importantly, it was a chance to have fun, step outside the comfort zone, and experience something new together.

And with the first EBS Challenge officially completed, a new Introweek tradition was born.

One Last Celebration

After five packed days, there was still time for one last celebration. On Friday night, Ebsters came together at Privé for the Semester Kick Off Party to celebrate the end of Introweek and the beginning of the new academic year.

With music, dancing, and plenty of familiar faces from throughout the week, it was the perfect way to bring Introweek 2026 to a close.

Thank You for Making Introweek Happen

Introweek is only possible because of the many people who bring it to life. A huge thank you to our Introweek team, student organisations, faculty, staff, speakers, alumni, and everyone else who contributed their time and energy to welcoming our newest Ebsters.

And of course, thank you to our Introweek partners for supporting the week with welcome bag goodies, prizes, special offers, and contributions to our events.

Most of all, thank you to all the new Ebsters who showed up, joined in, tried something new, and made Introweek 2026 what it was.

See you around EBS! 💙