Study in Latvia: A Guide for International Students

Latvia is one of the three Baltic States, located at the intersection of Northern and Eastern Europe. It borders Estonia, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania and the Baltic Sea. Latvia may not be a large country, but it certainly packs a lot in.

Latvia is a country covered in woodland, winding rivers and placid lakes. From the ancient woodland of the east, to the pristine beaches of the west, Latvia is a treasure trove of natural beauty. But there’s much more to Latvia than just the outdoors.

Latvia - Quick Facts & Figures

Riga is the capital of Latvia and is colloquially known as the Paris of the East. It’s here where most international students find themselves. Riga is a city in three distinct parts: old, Soviet and new. This interesting mix means that Riga has everything - from an artsy café district through to a vibrant financial district. Offshore, there’s a thriving natural gas industry, adding to Latvia’s growing economic success.

The official language is Latvian, an Eastern Baltic language that’s closely related to Lithuanian and Latgalian - a dialect of Latvian spoken in the east of the country. As Latvia is a part of the EU, Latvian is now a language with a higher profile. Russian is also widely spoken and understood in some areas of the country.

However, younger Latvians are increasingly learning English as their second language. Across the country, but particularly in Riga, English is widely spoken and understood by Latvians from all walks of life.

With all of this just waiting for you, Latvia is a country that makes for a fantastic study-abroad destination. Find out more about the Land of Blue Lakes in this guide.