Exchange program brings Tiks from Estonia to Hardin County

HARDIN COUNTY — Each year globally, many university students travel internationally for exchange programs, with various learning opportunities available for students. Paula Sandra Tiks, who is studying for her masters at TalTech in Mustamäe, located in Estonia, is currently in Southeast Texas for her exchange program, which revolves around selling learning materials for families. Sandra said the program gives her an opportunity to learn interpersonal skills and other communication tools that aren’t always taught. “You don’t learn problem solving or how to deal with rejection or things like this in college, but in real life, these are pretty important skills,” she said. Tiks added that priority access to educational resources has always been a big priority in her family, which is what brought her to join the exchange program. Since June, she has met several families in Silsbee and is now making her way though Kountze, with plans to continue through Sour Lake, Evadale and Buna. “I really like the smaller places, I feel people are so much more welcoming and warm,” she shared. Initially, Sandra said she was nervous about coming to Texas, being used to a community with only a million people, compared to the state’s 3.21 million population, but has shared how kind the locals are. “Everybody’s been so welcoming, it’s amazing. People offer me water, food, and they invite me to their houses,” she said. Additionally, she emphasized those at home that hear that knock on the door to have an open mind, because they never know who might be behind it and what they could have to offer. “ I’ve had a lot of families, who were at first a little skeptical, but then I tell them about it, and they’re like, ‘Oh, wow, that’s so cool,’ because I’ve noticed for people around here, education is such a big priority. I really love helping people out with that.” Tiks sells educational books and apps for families from young toddlers all the way through the end of high school. For more information, search for “Paula Sandra Bookgirl Tiks” on Facebook.