Living in Malta

Malta is situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and has great weather conditions all year around. It is well known as a popular location for students and tourists of all ages. Malta has a rich and ancient culture, sun and a warm, clean blue sea making this island an ideal for study abroad destination for students who want to combine English or higher education learning with leisure activities.

Malta’s official languages are Maltese and English and it is one of only a few true bilingual countries in the world. It has the additional benefits of the friendly hospitality of the locals and excellent weather conditions almost all year around.

In 1964 Malta obtained its political independence from Britain and in 1974 it became a Republic. Elections in the House of Representatives are held every five years and Malta is now a member of the United Nations.

The national language is Maltese which is a combination of Semitic and Romance languages using a primarily Latin alphabet as well as a number of additional letters which originate in the Arab language. English is also an official language of the island. Malta has a population of 400,000 and is visited annually by over one million tourists.

Air Malta and many other international airlines link Malta with the major European and North African cities. There are daily flight connections to London Airports and Rome as well as frequent direct flights to Brussels, Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, Athens, Tunis, Cairo, Tel Aviv and Dubai.

The Maltese Lira is the local national currency and is made up of 100 Maltese cents. Banks usually open from 8:30 in the mornings and close at 12:30. International bank cards are generally accepted island wide and foreign currency is readily exchanged. Most establishments accept credit cards like Visa, AMEX, Diners Club and Master Card.

St. Paul apparently said the Maltese were “unusually friendly.” Malta is a combination between a large open air museum and a thriving Mediterranean resort and it still remains one of the safest English speaking countries in the world. Because of this it is a very popular study destination for study abroad students and travelers.

Public Transport: Public Transport in Malta is reasonably priced and a very efficient way to get around. If you prefer to drive you simply need a license from your home country. But it is always good to have an international driving license.