study in Malta, Michigan Tech students

Hey Michigan Tech students (and, well, OK...other students, too!).

I had the two Tech students studying in Malta over for dinner to see what their experience was. I'm wild about Malta, but wanted to make sure actual students found the stay worthwhile before I started urging everyone I see to go.

Anyway, they were both quite happy with their experience. In fact, it seemed that all the US students I talked with were enjoying the experience. It was sunny all winter, there was zero snow, the University Residence has a nice international community at the, it was "different. It was colder than they expected in Jan and Feb (do bring a jacket). They both took a course, Contemporary History of the Mediterranean, that they found extremely interesting. Not everything was perfect, of course, but both were glad they came. If you can manage Tech, you will do just fine managing Malta.

Better yet...financial aid/scholarships still held while abroad. The in-state student said it had proved LESS EXPENSIVE to study a semester in Malta than at Tech, and that included the airfare over.

So, Tech students...get an international experience, study in English (though there is very good instruction in various languages at the U), meet lots of people, AND save money on school. Of course you won't actually save money, because you'll end up zipping off to other parts of Europe on breaks. But, that, of course, is not a bad thing.

Dust off the passport--or go get your first one. You can do this, really.

A surprise walk at the Malta University Residence

I noticed that the University Residence had a jogging track, but never taken it. What a surprise! Lija, where the Residence is, was once a very large garden. The track goes through the remains of part of the garden. It's a "lot of green" as a Michigan Tech student studying in Malta put it. The very showy purple and white flower is a caper (like what you put in salads, but it's a little bud then). Capers were in flower--particularly amazing at Dingli Cliffs (no pictures).

If you've followed this blog, you know I'm a sucker for flowers.

Farmhouse at Malta

I was back in Malta recently. The university puts me up at the University Residence, which is filled with students from all around the world. It has a nice community--I saw students leaving at the end of the exams and they were sent off by 15 other students. Lots of hugs and even tears at the goodbye.

Normally I stay in the main residence, but this time I was put in the "Farmhouse." It's about 200 years old, lacks internet and air conditioning, but has charm and great views. It's pretty minimalist, but I came to really like it. It is a lot quieter without all the students, which is good for someone my age. I'd come to the lobby of the Residence for internet and the fans were fine, at least when I was there, to keep me cool. There's a small pool (not the larger one of the main Residence).

Some of the farmhouse has regular, year-round residents. One family has small children and they put up the cutest little tree house.