Studying on a Mediterranean Island
The opportunity to study on a Mediterranean island is a rare and valuable one. For many, the proximity to the sea is a significant factor in their decision to pursue their studies in this location. For me, that was the primary factor that led me to select the University of Malta as the institution for my semester abroad. After spending 5 months in Malta, it is evident that studying at the University of Malta is so much more than just relaxing at the beach. It is an ideal environment for everyone who is passionate about their academic pursuits, outside sports and the Mediterranean climate.
The University
The university itself is relatively small. I found this quite convenient, as it meant that I never feared getting lost on campus. You may feel a little lost in the initial week but after that you will find your way to your lecture rooms very easily. Also, the UM app is quite helpful when it comes to looking for rooms. It must be acknowledged that the university rooms themselves do not offer much, as they are quite old. Also, you can recognize from the university edifices themselves that Malta is a rather poor country. However, this has not affected my learning outcomes and you can really sense that the university staff tries to make the best out of their buildings. Due to the warm climate in Malta, the campus is designed for students to be outside as much as possible. There are numerous seating options in the outdoor areas beneath the trees, where I spent most of my time writing papers or studying with friends. Additionally, the university offers a variety of study spaces, including the library and numerous other rooms where you can either study in silence or in groups. When it comes to lunch break, there is the canteen where you can get good food for little money or you can get something to eat from one of the various restaurants at Campus Hub, the local student dorm. So even though the university is quite limited in space, there is always some place to sit and spend your breaks between courses.
As I study English, the most of my coursework has been in this area. However, I must say that I faced some challenges in selecting my courses. It should be noted that Erasmus students of English are not allowed to enroll in Master courses at the department of English. Consequently, I was obliged to take Bachelor courses and count them as interdisciplinary courses at the University of Innsbruck. Still, it was very beneficial to repeat certain topics that I have already learned. I really enjoyed the courses I have chosen and I earned different insights on certain subjects.
Accommodation
During the organization of my semester abroad, it was quite challenging to find a decent and cheap accommodation. I was a bit overwhelmed with finding a web page that advertised shared apartments or anything similar. For this reason, I decided to live at Campus Hub, the university’s dormitory. Living there was very nice but expensive. The dormitory offers different housing conditions such as shared rooms, shared apartments or even studio apartments. In addition, there are many restaurants, a pool area, a study room, a barber shop, a grocery store, a nail salon, a shop for clothing, a gym and a pharmacy. What is particularly convenient is the dormitory’s direct location on campus, with a mere two minutes’ walk to your lecture rooms. As previously stated, I did not find any alternative options before going to Malta and I was reluctant to take the risk of not seeing my apartment before moving there. Nevertheless, some of my friends began looking for an apartment after they have already arrived in Malta. In general, it is easier to find a flat when you have already arrived in Malta, as landlords are typically seeking tenants that can move in immediately. However, this was an unacceptable risk for me personally and so the dormitory was the perfect solution for me.
Leisure Time And Social Life
There are about 3,500 students studying at the University of Malta. Given that about fifty percent of these are either Erasmus or international students, it was not hard to establish new friendships. I met most of my friends at the university’s Welcome Day, where you are introduced to the university’s orders and shown around the facilities. However, there are also other ways to make friends. The European Student Network (ESN) organizes regular events where you can connect with other people. For example, a welcome party was held during the first week of the semester. There, I got in contact with many other international students. Other events organized by ESN where hikes, boat trips to the Blue Lagoon, a boat party, weekly football games, dance and boxing classes, and many more. ESN events where always enjoyable and valuable opportunities to meet new people.
Personally, I enjoyed the many possibilities to get active outdoors. Even though I missed the Austrian mountains, I found other ways to hike on the Maltese Islands. Once, we even hiked on the Victoria lines and crossed the island from East to West on foot. Also, the island Gozo is a must-see when staying in Malta. Its nature, especially in March and April, is astonishing. I also tried many water sports on Malta, for example surfing, stand-up paddling, or kayaking. Furthermore, we went swimming every day. From Campus Hub, the sea is quite difficult to reach by bus; thus, we always walked about half an hour to Manoel Island to swim. People who like a little party every so often, will enjoy Malta very much. There is always a reason to party on Malta, either at ESN events or in Paceville, St. Julian. I also loved the many small coffee shops at every corner that sell coffee roasted in Malta. In conclusion, there is always something to do on the Maltese Islands.
Anna Niederer (Summer Semester 2024)