Sjoerd during his internship in Malta

What was the first thing you thought when you arrived in Malta?

How exotic the island looked. Outside the airport, there were palm trees everywhere. Secondly, I wasn’t completely relaxed when I got off the plane—my landlord was supposed to pick me up but didn’t show up. I had to figure that out myself. Ah, that Maltese lifestyle.

What was the most shocking difference between the Netherlands and Malta?

I’m not entirely sure if there was a shocking difference. The whole vibe on the island is relaxed, and things are less organized than at home. Like the traffic, which is really chaotic. People honk at each other when they approach an intersection to let others know they’re coming—they definitely don’t slow down.

Have you ever felt homesick? How did you deal with it?

Only during the first two weeks did I feel a bit lonely. Mostly because I didn’t know anyone. By actually talking to people, that feeling lessened. I’m still in touch with many of the Dutch students I met in Malta. This year, we even went on a small reunion trip to Portugal!

Do you feel at home in Malta? Why (not)?

It’s a small island (about the size of Texel) and everything is easy to reach by bus or even walking. The weather is nice and the people are friendly. They also have a large international community. These are all factors that make life here enjoyable. But precisely because it’s so chaotic and unorganized, it never felt like home. Of course, this is a personal thing—I never fully feel at home in another country.

Give us tips on who you should befriend abroad. The Russians? The Irish? The Chileans?

Try to make friends with the locals in Malta—they know the island best and often have a car. Especially in the beginning, they can show you a lot and help you get to know the place. For me, it was easy to meet people because there were many Dutch people in the international community. Other internationals mostly came from Libya—they’re nice but sometimes direct. The Russians drink a lot—stereotypical but true. The others (mostly Spanish and Italian) are easygoing, which was super fun.

Was there a typical local dish that you really enjoyed?

The food is heavily influenced by Italian cuisine, and there are lots of pastries (which I also like!).

What did you learn from your experience abroad? Was it the beloved community you liked? The cheap cocktails? The beautiful nature? Or was your experience less than expected? Details, we want details!

In Malta, I learned to be more independent. Really trying to get to know new people made my experience so much fun. The nature is amazing, for example the islands above Malta: Comino and Gozo. The nightlife in Malta is also really fun! Drinks are cheap; beer prices are the same as in the Netherlands. There are many bars and clubs in St Julian’s. This area is also known as Paceville and is located in the east (a 30-minute drive from the capital, Valletta). If you want a relaxed life full of friendly people and cheap parties, you should definitely consider Malta.

Describe the people of Malta in three words.

Friendly, passionate (just listen to their conversations!), and relaxed (everything goes a bit slower than you’re used to, but everyone is okay with that, so everyone goes with the flow).