Erasmus Experience in Msida, Malta by Valentina

Why did you choose to go to Msida, Malta?

I was living in St Julian's but the university of Malta is situated in Msida.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I had no grant and my internship lasted two months.

What is the student lifestyle like in Msida?

Msida is a little town really close to the University, so it's very practical to live there. There are plenty of students living in this area and bus connection to main party zones (like Paceville) for free. Anyway, apart from the university, there are no facilities, clubs or bars. It's a quite boring area and I suggest to choose St Julian's, Sliema or Gzira as places to live.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Msida to other students?

The University of Malta is a very lively and nice place. You can have interesting courses and internships, but some departments are not well organised. Pay attention because some teachers speak Maltese during their classes.

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What is the food like?

You can have very cheap options like pastizzi (just 30cent each), and you can make bargains at Lidl or the tower supermarkets in San Gwann, Sliema and St Julian's. Special Maltese plates are rabbit, pastizzi, ftira and gbeina. Fresh milk is very good and tasty. On the contrary, restaurants are quite expensive. If you need to buy fruit and vegetables better buy them at the grocer's, because you can find local products.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Msida?

You can easily find accomodation but mostly without contact and in shared bedrooms. Accomodation is quite expensive as well.

How much does it cost to live in Msida?

Your budget could be of 400€ per month for rent (charges included) + 100€ per month for food. Extras like means of transport, trips, parties aren't that expensive.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

You can find courses mostly in English. Some teachers, indeed, answer to questions from Maltese students in Maltese, which is of course hard to understand.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Msida from your city?

By plane. With the ESN card you get discounts on Ryanair flights, but I recommend to travel with Airmalta which offers great quality and good offers as well (60€ from Milan to Malta, hand baggage + 23 kg baggage)

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Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Msida?

In Msida you can just have house party or catch the free bus to Paceville from skatepark.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Msida?

There aren't restaurants in Msida. You can find nice coffee shops (but quite expensive) in the street behind the uni. Lo Spuntino (Italian bar) and a Turkish bar were my favourite.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

You won't find anything cultural in Msida except from the uni. Anyway, you can reach Valletta even by walk and every interesting spot in Malta from Kullegg bus stop, in Msida Marina.