FAQs

1.       What do I need to bring with me?

A stethoscope, white coat, bed sheets and a towel.

2.       Will someone pick me up from the airport?

Yes. Please send your flight details as soon as possible so we can organise pick-ups. A medical student will be waiting for you at the airport; do not panic if they are a few minutes late.

3.       Do I have internet access?

Yes, there are computers with internet/ Wi-Fi at the Medical School Library as well as the computer lab in the Institute of Health Care (IHC) above medical school. For 2 weeks during August the Library is closed but the computer lab upstairs remains open during office hours. Most of the apartments have internet.

4.       Where will I be staying?

MMSA rents out self catering apartments for the exchange students. You will be around 6 students to a flat, roughly two in each room. You may possibly share a room with someone of the opposite gender. Most of the flats are within walking distance from the university and the hospital. They are roughly about a 10 or 15 minute walk.

5.       What facilities are there in the flat?

The kitchen is fully equipped so you can very easily cook there and there is also a washing machine available in all flats.

6.       Will someone take me back to the airport?

No, you will need to find your own way back. There are either buses or taxis available.

7.       Will I be accompanied to the hospital on my first day?

Yes, a contact person will meet you at the flat and you will go together to the hospital where he/she will introduce you to the consultant. If that’s not possible, you will be given the name of the doctor and where you can find him from beforehand and you would need to go and find him yourself.

8.       Will I have a language problem?

Most of the Maltese population speaks English so if your English is good (which is obligatory if you are coming to Malta) you will have no problems at all. We normally speak to the patients at the hospital in Maltese, a Semitic-based language similar to Arabic with some Italian, but most will be ok with you speaking English to them. Most junior doctors in the firm will be happy to translate for you.

9.       Do I have a social program?

In July and August there is a social program and in September some students do offer to show you around, although this is not obligatory. The contact person will give you the time table with the social program activities in the first week so you are free to choose which activities you would like to attend and plan your stay accordingly.

10.     Do I have to pay for the social program activities?

You will need to pay for things like the bus/coach/ferry fares and other entrance fees to museums. Certain places that you visit give students a discount therefore it is advisable to get an ISIC or EURO<26 card.

11.     Do I have food included?

Bilateral students will be given 24 food tokens, one for each working day of the month, to use at a restaurant close to Mater Dei Hospital at lunch time. Unilateral students do not get any free meals. Food for other meals must be bought by students at local supermarkets or food stores at students’ expense.

12.     What are my hospital hours?

Most of the time, you are required to be at hospital from 8am till around 2.00pm from Monday to Friday. This varies with consultants so please ask your consultant on your first day.

13.     Is Malta safe?

Malta is a very safe country but do be on your guard. Do not trust people blindly, do not leave property unattended when you go to the beach and do not take lifts from strangers. Basically use your common sense.

14.     What are your electricity sockets like?

We have three pin sockets (like the UK) so please bring an adaptor with you.

15.     What is your electricity voltage?

The voltage is 240 volts

16.     What are the means of public transport available?

Malta has established a new bus service as from the 3rd of July. Please go through the website: http://www.arriva.com.mt/home?l=1. You should find answers to all your questions.

17.     Do I need to pay a fee when I arrive?

Yes. Bilateral students are required to pay 10 euro for their flat key and the maid service. Unilateral students should pay their unilateral fee at least 4 weeks before their exchange, otherwise the exchange will be cancelled. The unilateral fee is €400 for July and August, €300 for September and €250 for the other months. Unilateral students that do not pay before they come here to Malta, on arrival they would be asked to return home. We can not accept anyone who did not pay. We apologize for any inconvenience.

18.   What is the currency used?

Euro

19.   Can I exchange money?

Yes, you can exchange the major foreign currencies at all bank branches. There are two on the University of Malta premises, next to Mater Dei Hospital. ATMs are available so if you have a VISA bank card, you will be able to withdraw money.

20.   What is the weather like?

The Winters are normally cold. Somewhere around 10 to 16 degrees Celsius but the Summers are very hot and humid with temperatures rising up to 35 degrees. Please get sun block cream, hats etc etc… especially if you are very fair.

21.   Will there be other students with me?

In the Summer months, there are around 25 students per month and you will live relatively close to each other. During the Winter months, we do not often have many students – there may be 1 or 2 students per month.

22.   Can I bring friends, family over?

This is not allowed at any point. They are free to join the social program but they will need to have their own accommodation.

23.   Will I get a certificate at the end?

Yes, you will, provided that you have attended at least 80% of your hospital attachment, that you return your Hospital ID card and your flat key to the NEO/NORE-In, and that you fill in the Evaluation Form.

24.   What do I need to wear for hospital?

Women: no short skirts or low-lying neck lines. Jeans are not allowed either. Please be smart.

Men: shirt and trousers is good enough, though a number also choose to wear ties. No jeans or running shoes are allowed.

At all times, please keep in mind that you are in a hospital and you must be respectfully and decently dressed. Failure to do so may result in your exchange being cancelled.

25.   Do I need a visa?

Malta is an EU country. A Schengen Visa is needed for those countries that need a visa to enter the EU. Students from Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Turkey, Bahrain and Indonesia need a visa for please apply for it way in advance. Students who need a VISA to enter Malta can apply at any Maltese, Italian or Austrian embassy since Malta is now part of Schengen. However, if a student’s VISA is denied, there is nothing MMSA can do. Check VISA requirements at this address: http://www.foreign.gov.mt/pages/main.asp?sec=83 and request Invitation Letters from MMSA in advance.

26.   When is the earliest and latest time I can apply for an exchange?

The earliest time you can apply depends on your local exchange committee but we start checking for applications in December.

The latest time you can apply is April, though the earlier you apply, the more likely you will be accepted in the month and department of your choice. Any application sent after this time will not be accepted.