Five John Carroll University students stepped into the Estonian Embassy in Washington, D.C., immersing themselves in a rare firsthand experience of international diplomacy on Nov. 15. Welcomed by Ambassador Kristjan Prikk, the students engaged in a discussion on global issues, blending their academics with the insights of a seasoned diplomat.
These select students were in D.C. for the annual Mid-Atlantic European Union Simulation (MEUS). Andreas Sobisch, who holds a doctorate in political science and is chair of the political science department at JCU, has been participating for 25 years with dozens of other schools from across the country. Sobisch said the program is a “fine example of experiential learning at JCU” as students with nearly a hundred of their peers cooperate on international issues.
Those participating first had to learn real policy from the diplomats they represented. This year’s simulation consisted of research on politicians from Bulgaria, Malta and Estonia. Last year, the Estonian Embassy staff visited JCU, and with MEUS’ focus on Eastern Europe this year, Sobisch and Prikk saw an opportunity for collaboration.
Back at the embassy, Magdalena Rumelfanger ‘26 was excited to participate in the meeting, she said “Ambassador Prikk was extremely interested in getting to know us as students and to answer our questions then, and he was equally as interested in our questions.”
Some questions concerned the state of Russian-Estonian relations, the role Estonia sees for Ukraine during its war for independence or after its independence is secured, as well as what an incoming Trump administration means for Estonia, Europe and the world.
Prikk answered very clearly that Russia had up until the dissolution of the Soviet Union occupied Estonia, and that Estonians sypathized with the Ukrainians facing the same fate. As such, Estonia is “resolute against Russian expansion.” The nation of 1.36 million values its protection inside of the EU and NATO, but also wishes to see these resources shared with Ukraine. In a chart seen below, and distributed by Prikk, Estonia gives more of its defensive capabilities and gross domestic product per capita than even the United States.
After an hour of discussion, the ambassador had to let the class go on its way and settle in for the next three days of the trip. Appreciative of the students’ research and interest in his home nation, he extended an invitation for John Carroll University students to come back next year.
Sobisch, hoping to build on this successful meeting, and 25 years of successful simulations, is “naturally looking forward to the next 25 years.” His course is open to any student next fall, where it looks like Sobisch and Prikk will begin working toward another 25 years of international relations and EU simulations.