Tips for those considering an elective in Malta - Part I

Application Process

The application process is relatively painless.  I applied in November, for a June elective. Accommodation can be booked by the medical school for you at the application stage.  You are likely to be accommodated at the University Residence in Lija.  If you want to bring friends (including non-medical students) with you, they can stay in the residence also, just include their information with you application.  If you are arriving early in the summer, I recommend traveling with at least one other person as you may get quite bored if alone.  From late June there are likely to be lots of other elective students around to socialise with.  Full details of the application process are available on www.mmsa.org.mt

Arriving in Malta - The residence

The medical school will arrange a complimentary taxi to pick you up from the airport.  The University residence is in Lija, a 10 minute bus journey from the hospital.  The residence operates a complimentary bus service to and from the University (which is adjacent to the Mater Dei Hospital).  From time to time you are likely to need to take the public bus. There are several routes which run between Lija and the Mater Dei/University, including the 560, 580, 58 and 450.  Bed linen is provided in the residence.  Cutlery and cooking utensils can be borrowed against a deposit.  There are washing machines and ironing facilities available.  There are computers available or you can bring a laptop and use the wireless service.  The medical school will arrange for you to get a login password.  It may take a few days, but in the meantime there are temporary logins for sale at reception.  The reception also sell phone cards, which may be quite cheap when calling landlines, but are extortionate if you need to call mobiles. I have been using Skype on my laptop.   There are 7/8 bedrooms in each block.  The rooms are basic but clean.  You may be asked to share a room with someone (if you bring someone with you, you can share with them).  If you arrive in early June, there will still be lots of Erasmus students around, many of whom will have been studying in Malta for the year.  They will be finishing their exams and there will probably be some noisy partying going on.  You will need to sleep, as you will be starting in the hospital at 7.30/8.  If the noise becomes too much, ask for a change of room at reception, they are very accommodating and will do their best to help.  When you check in you will be given a map of the area.  If you arrive on a Saturday, try to go to the grocery shop, Smart as they are closed on Sundays.  The tap water in Malta, while technically drinkable is not nice, so at the very least you will need some bottled water.  Smart deliver to the residence for orders over Eur 25. Avail of the service, water is heavy!  There are some restaurants in the locality where you can eat until you find food and cooking utensils.

The Elective - getting started.

On your first day, you need to go to the medical school.  Aim to arrive there at 9ish.  There is no need to go earlier as the office will not be open.  The residence bus will drop you off outside the medical school entrance. If you have not paid the full amount for the elective, you will be taken to the bank to pay. Paying the  full amount in advance seems wise as several students had problems withdrawing money from the ATM.  The staff in the office will get you orientated.  You need to give them a deposit of Eur 20 for an ID card, which will allow you to access the wards.  They will then let you know where your consultant is likely to be found.  If the team are not on the ward, ask someone to page them.