I could not wait to get here, when I arrived at the airport in Luqa I felt the sea breeze and humidity and thought this is going to be a great experience. Before I left the UK I was under the impression that everything was going to easy sailing but it was not.
Malta has great views, the Maltese people where helpful when asked for directions etc. However, one thing I didn't anticipate as Malta is part of the EU is bad public transport. When I first tried to get on the bus I got lost, went around in circles, I had to wait for an hour for a bus on so many occasions and almost suffered from injuries due to reckless bus driving.
Due to the lack of black people on the Island I felt at times I was being started at, either because I was associated as being a refugee or a prostitute. This made me offended and very uncomfortable and made me crawl into a shell. At times there where some Maltese people who wouldn't even want to sit next to you on the bus, make funny comments or point and when I offer seats at times they would refuse the offer.
There where times also where I had missed home so much that I almost packed my bags and left. I missed the civilisation, the 'rush of feet' feeling and knowing that a supermarket will be opened till 12am unlike here where everything closes at a curtain time then re-open. Some times when in need of items from the grocery store it would be closed at one in the afternoon, it took a while for me to get use to it.
When I arrived I didn't think things will be expensive but I found that there where things that where over priced in comparison to back home. It also took a long time to get the Erasmus grant and although we where warned to bring money to cover us the grant took a long time to come and only cover majority of my rent let alone my finances.
On arrival, we where asked to open an account and make identifications etc. This involved a lot of going back and fourth as these companies asked to excessive documentation.
Another thing about Malta is that the Maltese people love to eat, drink, smoke and have a good time....
I also made friends with foreign students whom also felt the way I did and we became each others family. Until they left me after the 1st semester and I was alone :(
What made most of these negatives things shocking was that we where not told about any of this therefore we didn't anticipate any off it. However Malta has a nice relaxed atmosphere and has also bought a different side to me that I didn't realise I had an adventurous side.....
Abseiling ......
Scuba diving ......
