I didn’t plan it, honestly. Studying in Malta wasn’t some big dream or well-researched goal. I just got tired of the usual — same routines, same people — and wanted to do something different. One night, I ended up deep in some Reddit thread where people were talking about learning English abroad. Someone mentioned Malta. I googled it. It looked… warm, affordable, and not boring. That was enough for me.
So yeah, I booked it. Kind of on a whim. And it grew to become one of the higher selections I’ve made.
First Impressions — Not What I Expected
I landed in Malta in late April. The airport was small, quiet. I didn’t recognize what to anticipate. I understand walking outdoors and immediately feeling the sun — it wasn’t even summer season but, but it felt like June. The air smelled a piece salty, like you’re close to the ocean.
I thought there’d be a language barrier. There wasn’t. Everyone spoke English — like real English, not just tourist phrases. I was surprised. Even the guy at the snack counter joked with me about the price of water. It felt familiar, easy, and if you’re wondering why, you can find more details on this site.
The School — Casual but Actually Effective
The school I joined wasn’t anything fancy.It had maybe 6 or 7 classrooms, a front table, and a touch garden wherein people could sit down in the course of breaks. No uniforms, no stress, just humans from all over trying to get higher at English.
There was this girl from Poland who spoke barely anything at first. You could tell she was shy. By the second week, she was answering questions in class and laughing when she messed up. And nobody made fun — we were all making mistakes.
My teacher was named Claire. She was from the UK, I think. She didn’t go by a strict syllabus. Some days we just talked about movies or food or what words were hard to pronounce. I think that’s what made it easier — it wasn’t like school, more like talking to someone who knew how to help.
Not Just Learning — Actually Living It
That’s one of the biggest things. Outside the classroom, you don’t stop learning. You go buy a sandwich, you need to speak. You ask someone for directions, you speak. You’re constantly practicing, and it doesn’t feel like practice.
We went on this school-organized boat trip one Saturday. Around 20 students, different ages, different languages, all just trying to chat in English. Some people spoke really slowly, some didn’t care if they messed up — and that helped. It took the pressure off.
I remember I asked for sunscreen in a shop and said “sun scream” by accident. The lady smiled, corrected me gently, and that stuck with me. That’s how you learn. Not in a textbook — in little real-life slip-ups that make you laugh later.
Where I Stayed — and What I’d Do Differently
I picked a host family option. It was cheaper and came with meals. The house was in Sliema — a nice area, lots of small cafes, 10 minutes from the water. The couple I stayed with were older, quiet, but kind. They’d always ask how class was, and correct my grammar in the nicest way possible.
Dinner time was like a mini lesson every night. We’d talk about whatever — local news, my day, their old travel stories. I didn’t realize how much vocabulary I picked up just from those dinners.
If I could go again? I might try a student residence. A few of my classmates stayed in one near the school, and it sounded a bit livelier. More social. Depends on what kind of person you are, really.
Exploring Malta — It’s Not Just Beaches
People think Malta is just beaches and clubs. And yeah, there’s a lot of that. But there’s history too. I’m not even a “museum person,” but Mdina? That place felt like a movie set. Super quiet, old stone streets, views that made you stop walking for a second.
We also visited the Blue Grotto and Comino — insane water. Crystal clear, like glass. I don’t even swim much, but I ended up floating there for half an hour doing absolutely nothing. Total peace.
Weekends were a mix of fun and chill. Some nights we’d go to Paceville — clubs, loud music, people dancing like it’s the last party ever. Other times, we’d just walk along the harbor, talking about how weird and cool it was to be there.
Cost — Honestly Not That Bad
I was expecting to spend way more than I did. Here’s roughly what it cost me (per week):
English course: around €180
Host family (with meals): €150
Local transport + snacks: €50–70
Extra trips (optional): €20–40
Of course, it adds up over time, but compared to the UK or other countries, Malta felt way more affordable. Some schools also offer full packages (like Sprachcaffe Malta), which include classes, housing, and even airport pickup — that helps if you don’t want to plan too much yourself.
Tips I Wish I Knew Earlier
Don’t overpack. You’ll live in flip-flops and a backpack most of the time.
Join the activities. Even if you’re shy, they help you meet people quickly.
Speak, even though it’s wrong. That’s how everyone gets better.
Take notes, but don’t obsess. You’ll remember more by using words in real situations than writing them 10 times.
Also — don’t worry if you’re older. My class had a 19-year-old and a 47-year-old. No one cared. Everyone was there for the same reason.
Conclusion
It’s weird how one random decision can end up changing how you see the world — and yourself. I didn’t go to Malta expecting much. But I came back with better English, sure, but also with new friends, stories I’ll probably tell forever, and a lot more confidence in just… trying things.
If you’re thinking about going — I’d say don’t wait too long. Don’t overthink it. Just book it. Once in a while, the fantastic way to analyze isn’t by making plans, however by showing up.