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Learn English in Malta – A Safe Mediterranean Destination!

  • Learn English in Malta – A Safe Mediterranean Destination!

     

    Want to learn English abroad but not sure what destination? Korea Gap Year offers a 1:1 consultation to figure out the best program for you. We help with preparation so no need to stress about that! Have a great experience in a new country! 

    Apply now!

     

    Here is Kim Da-eun's review!

     

     

    Hello, I am Kim Dan-eun and I'm 23 year old college student. During my 24 week gap, I met many people of various ages and I felt, “Ah, I’ve been confined to such a narrow way of thinking.” Everyone was deeply aware of politics and global affairs and each had their own perspectives as many of us had never considered before. Observing them, I became more curious about the world around me and, in turn, developed greater tolerance and understanding for those different from myself.

     

    I chose Malta because it is a great place to travel to Europe while speaking British English.

     

     

    After some research, I found out about Korea Gap Year and after all their help I officially decided to go to Malta for a language course for 6 months. I had to adjust to the big time difference between Malta and Korea. I plan to use the remaining time before returning to school to study for the practical portion of the qualification exam.

    At first, I considered living in Jeju for a month to participate in a gap year related program for overseas volunteer work. However, after a long discussion with my parents, I decided to study abroad instead. I was very interested in British English but I thought it would be financially difficult to learn English in the UK, so I chose Malta which is a great place to travel to Europe while using British English.

     

     

    I didn’t really have any worries about staying abroad for a long time. Of course, I’ve never lived abroad for a long time before. I’ve only traveled once and it was offered on a packaged tour so I was nervous that I might miss my flight or forget something. But since it’s a place where people already live, I had no concerns about adjusting to life there.

    Before departure, I prepared the documents that the Korea Gap Year manager told me I needed along with my plane ticket. I also packed my luggage in advance and checked the weight to ensure it wasn’t heavy. I also made sure to bring my laptop and external hard drive filled with various movies. After reading reviews of Malta language courses on blogs, I also learned about signing a contract before boarding the plane that does not hold the airline responsible for long term travel to Malta for visa issues.

    My goals for this gap year was to take a break first and second is to learn enough English to be able to converse and understand movies without subtitles. Now, I can say that I had a satisfying experience because I would have never had if I had not taken this break and created precious memories. :)

     

    The best part was meeting people from different countries and sharing our cultures and thoughts.

     

     

    The school is in Valletta and my accommodation is in Sliema, so I have to leave home between 8:10 and 8:20 am and then I can take a 30 minute bus ride and walk 10 minutes to get to my 9 am class. After class at 12:30 pm, I quickly ate lunch before the next afternoon class started at 1 pm. When class ended at 3 pm I would take a bus back to my accommodation, which is around 4 or 5 pm. I spent some time on my own, ate dinner, and finished the day with my homework.

     

    The best part of the Malta project was that I met people from France, Italy, Libya, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, and other countries. We shared our cultures and ideas. It also helped me break some of my own discriminatory stereotypes.

    I used to have romantic ideas about foreign countries, especially Europe and the UK, but I realized that everyone is the same and lives the exact same life. I also deeply realized that the “Law of Conservation of Nature” exists wherever I go. ^^

     

    Especially, there are friends who started in the same class and advanced together, such as Ramona from Switzerland who was my first foreign friend. Yosuke who came to Malta with his family from Japan and Seong-eon from Ulsan. Having these friends, I often think that it was a good decision to come to Malta because I was able to build a precious relationship with Daniel, the teacher who taught us the longest.

     

    “I had been living with such a limited perspective…”

     

     

    During my gap year, I met many people of various ages and felt, “Ah, I’ve been confined to such a narrow way of thinking.” For example, since European countries are close to each other, I thought they would naturally travel a lot, but it was the same for many Europeans just like there are people in Korea who have never been to Jeju Island or Japan before.

    Everyone was deeply aware of politics and global affairs and each had their own perspectives as many of us had never considered before. Observing them, I became more curious about the world around me and, in turn, developed greater tolerance and understanding for those different from myself.

    Advice for those who will be participating in taking a gap year in the Malta study program later, please do not come with too much romanticism about going abroad. If you live in Malta, you will encounter foreigners who look down on Asians. There may come a day when you realize that age differences feel less significant, from children as young as your youngest sibling to the elderly.

     

     

    My Gap Year Tip

    Language

    Studying English grammar in advance will be helpful because you’ll be able to focus more on conversation than grammar when you arrive. Personally, I think my vocabulary has greatly improved by taking one on one classes in the afternoon, so if you have the time, I recommend taking these classes. As everyone here does, it is also helpful to make friends and travel together to talk.

    Lodging

    Malta is warm so there are quite a few bugs, even in the winter, and there are no mosquito nets in most places. If you let me know about this, I think it will be helpful later on so that I can bring more bug spray and mosquito repellent.

    Meal

    Malta is not cheap compared to other European countries. Foreign students even ask why things are so expensive. However, I recommend LIDL, a mart where you can get groceries super cheap. If you search on Google Maps, there are quite a few around St. Julian’s Imsida and Malta Airport. It might be a good idea to visit.

    I live mostly in Sliema, so I only know about the supermarkets there but I am writing this because I think it would be good to have some information “SCOTTS” and "TOWER SUPERMARKET” are the two big supermarkets in Sliema and the prices of the items they sell are slightly different. If you want to buy meat in small quantities, Scott's is much cheaper and has a wider variety while Tower’s is good for vegetables and fruits.

     

     

    Preparation

    I stayed there from September to March, so from my experience living from fall to winter and early spring, it was a bit cold because there were no electric blankets. Since there are many students who go to Malta to study abroad, I bought an electric blanket from a Korean who was leaving from a cafe but it broke right away so I spent the rest of the winter freezing… The buildings in Malta do not have heating, so it is often colder at home than outside, so if you are sensitive to the cold, I recommend bringing a blanket or electric one in the winter.

    And in winter, it often rains as the wind always comes with the rain. Those who live in Sliema or near the seaside probably know that umbrellas are useless. When it rains, the drainage is not good so water always gets collected on the roadside so it would be a good idea to bring along a pair of walking shoes or shoes that do not let rainwater in.

    Writing materials like pens, post-its and notebooks are much cheaper and have better quality if you bring them from Korea! I felt like I wasted money because the price of just one notebook was so high… When walking around the accommodation, slippers are a must! You have to wear slippers to go around the bathroom, room, and kitchen, so I recommend bringing them. There are no places here that sell basic slippers or electric blankets, or places like Daiso. There just aren’t any at all.

    If you are thinking of a large mart like E-Mart or Homeplus in Korea there are absolutely no such places in Malta. I went around everywhere to buy an electric blanket but this place is just… It is good for your mental health but do not expect anything other than food and body products.Everyone please bring a compression pack/backpack as a basic. A backpack is useful not only as a school bag but also for weekend trips. If you cook often, it would be good to bring rubber gloves. I haven’t seen them sold here.

    Travel

    Malta is such a small country that you can almost see everything with just one travel guide. One tip is that the world-famous cathedral in Valletta called St. John’s Cathedral usually costs 10 euros to enter but during festivals and national holidays it is free. There is a new tourist information center in Valletta this year so you can ask there for details of opening times.

     

     

    My Gap Year Review

    Experience ★★★★★

    I think that living abroad for a long period of time is a valuable experience. In addition, I think that the geographical location of Malta allows me to meet and communicate with students from all over the world and exchange opinions which is also an amazing experience.

    Learning ★★★★★

    I learned a lot from the great teachers at the academy and I was also able to learn about life’s outlook from watching my friends.

    Environment ★★★

    Depending on where you stay your perspective and life there can change.

    Safety ★★★★

    It’s safe. I heard that there are often thugs who steal your wallet when you get on or off the bus so I think you should be more careful and protect yourself. going out late at night is also up to you.

    Leisure ★★★

    For students who are staying long term, Malta can be really boring. After traveling around Malta, there is still time left. It would be good to download movies, sitcoms, or dramas and watch them without subtitles. You can also go to the gym or do yoga.

     

    Korea Gap Year helps students find the perfect location and cultural environment that suits them. We offer a variety of programs and tailor the best experience for each individual. We provide clear, informative answers to all questions and assist with accommodation plans while keeping the main goal at the forefront. Have any doubts? We are always easy to contact!

     

    Contact Us Today!

    If you're interested in taking a gap year in Malta, apply now and contact us for an interview to find the best program that suits your needs, ensuring you have an unforgettable and enriching experience!

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