Page 34 - StudyTravel Magazine July 2014 Issue

deStination MAlTA

Many of Malta’s language schools,
as well as their festivals, are concentrated
in one place, in the St Julian’s, Sliema
and San Gwann area on the northeast
coast. According to Mark Ransley,
Principal of EEC Language Centre www.
educationmalta.com, “The most popular area
for young students is Paceville in St Julian’s,
where one can find a number of nightclubs,
bars, pubs, cinemas, bowling centres,
restaurants and a small sandy beach.”
Also in St Julian’s is the tourist hub
of Spinola Bay, which offers students the
chance to mix their studies with the leisurely
pace of a holiday – the “best of both worlds”
as described by Karl Sammut at Gateway
School of English www.english-malta.
com. “St Julian’s in itself is a multicultural
metropolis with an array of nationalities
residing, working and enjoying themselves.
This provides the ideal environment for
students to interact with the locals.” Staying
with a local family will give students a
chance to integrate even more by sampling
the Maltese way of life, as Sammut explains.
Approximately a 25-minute walk down
the coastal promenade from St Julian’s is
Sliema. Once a fishing village, it is now
a popular, bustling town. Alberta Stivala
at Linguatime www.linguatime.com says,
“Sliema is busy all day and has regular public
transport and ferries, and houses the biggest
shopping mall in Malta. We also have many
Making Bizzilla – Bizzilla, aka Maltese lace,
bars, cafés and restaurants.” view over all of Malta. Mdina’s sister town,
is formed on a pillow stuffed with straw and is
Stivala states that Malta is popular with Rabat, is also worth a look, Lephew says, used for tablecloths, placemats and serviettes.
Europeans due to the currency (the euro) “for its unbelievable underground cemetery,
and the many low-cost airlines which now the St Paul’s Catacombs, or to try out the
fly to the island. In fact, according to Malta local speciality: nougat”. sees in Gozo include the Azure Window and
International Airport, by the end of 2013, Valletta, Malta’s capital, is a Unesco the Ggantija temple complex.
a record 4,031,502 passenger movements World Heritage Site and also European In between the main island of Malta
occurred in and out of the country. Capital of Culture in 2018. Lephew and Gozo is Comino, virtually uninhabited
Malta’s long and varied history can be describes the city, which is home to the except for one hotel and hosts the beautiful
traced back to 5200 BC. “Malta’s temples Maltese Carnival, as an open-air museum Blue Lagoon, a paradise for swimmers and
are older than the Egyptian pyramids and with over 300 monuments. “Wandering in snorkelers alike. In fact, there are many
Stonehenge [in the UK],” states Camilleri, this splendid city is definitely a must!” activities – sports and otherwise – that
suggesting that students should visit the BELS Gozo & Malta www.belsmalta. students can get involved with in Malta.
world’s oldest Hypogeum (underground com offers an alternative away from the busy Howes says that Alpha offer their students
temple) in Paolo. He believes that the northeast coast, with a choice of two school trips such as jeep safaris, quad biking,
country’s history is “probably the richest in locations: one in St Paul’s in the north of sailing, surfing, and trips to animal parks. At
the world” and highlights Mdina, the old the main island, offering sandy beaches and Linguatime, Stivala says they offer guided
capital, as a must-see for all visitors. “Its lively nightlife; and the other on Malta’s tours of Malta’s towns, as well as visits to
winding, narrow streets take you hundreds smaller inhabited island of Gozo. “Our the brewery, airport control tower, radio
of years back in time and every corner tells a Gozo school is located in the countryside stations, and olive and wine making.
different story,” Camilleri says. and is popular with mature students who are Stivala at NSTS says that the school puts
With its Baroque-style houses, Pauline more study focused,” explains Isabella Conti. together its own sports teams for students to
Lephew at inlingua School of Languages “They choose Gozo because it is a quiet, join. “Fitness centres offer excellent facilities.
www.inlinguamalta.com describes Mdina relaxed place, and they enjoy spending their Summer switches attention to sea-sports
as a “pure jewel” and encourages students to time cycling across the island, sightseeing from the winter land-based sports, but
visit St Paul’s Cathedral, which gives a great and having some very good meals!” Must- swimming is possible all year round.”
In the south of the island, Lephew
Agent viewpoint recommends visiting two fishing villages,
Marsaxlokk and Marsaskala. “Marsaxlokk PHoto: renata aPanaviCiene © vieWingMalta.CoM
“Malta has always been very popular for Czech students because it is a perfect combination
of english studies and holiday. long hours of sunshine throughout the year and beautiful sea is known for its beautiful Maltese boats, the
are great selling points. Students are always surprised how welcomed they feel, especially luzzo, lying in the sun and reflecting their
those with a low level of english who are not very confident in the language. all of them con-
firm that the whole island atmosphere is very friendly and supports their studies. the majority of our vibrant colours in the crystal clear sea, while
students are astonished that such a small island has so much to offer and their stay is not necessarily Marsaskala is a bit wilder with an incredible
just about lying on a beach and sunbathing.” walk along the salt fields and the sea.”
Adela Mullerova, Channel Crossings, www.chc.cz, Czech Republic
georgina@hothousemedia.com
32 | Study travel Magazine | july 2014