“The best thing I’ve ever done” Grace’s Erasmus+ Experience in Malta

Enjoying the view from Mixta Cave after a hike

Grace Lucey undertook an Erasmus+ study abroad in Malta as part of her undergraduate degree at University of Galway. 

During my Physics and Applied Physics course at the University of Galway, I had the option to spend my third year studying abroad as part of the Erasmus+ programme. From September 2024 to June 2025, I undertook the amazing opportunity to study at the University of Malta (L-Università ta’ Malta). I chose Malta because of the great weather, fascinating history, and because I wanted to be surrounded by the sea.  

What motivated you to do it?
I always wanted to do a study abroad mobility while I was in university; part of the reason I chose my course in Galway was because I knew there’d be a chance to go on an Erasmus+. The idea of living abroad, experiencing a new culture, hearing a new language, and building a life somewhere outside of Ireland sounded really exciting to me. 

How did you prepare for your trip? 
As soon as I was told I’d been accepted to go to Malta, I organised accommodation straight away. Most Maltese students live at home during third-level studies because the country is so small. There’s only one main student accommodation for the university. I applied for it and was accepted within hours.  

The next port of call was filling in my forms for the Erasmus+ grant. My home university helped a lot with this, so it was a very quick process. After that, I needed to pick some classes and fill in my learning agreement. I used the University of Malta website to find the modules that suited my course best, and I also chose some modules that I just thought would be interesting.  

The only thing left for me then was to research what life in Malta was like. I have to admit, I didn’t know much about the country before my Erasmus+ and I was shocked to find out that so many things were similar to Ireland – from speaking the same language to having the same plugs and driving on the same side of the road! 

How did you make friends and network once you arrived? 
I was lucky enough to live in the main student accommodation where about 90% of the international students also stayed. The very first day I moved in, I was quickly befriended by an American girl who loved my accent, and through her, I made some German friends and even some Irish friends!  

But it was essentially because of the Malta Erasmus+ WhatsApp group chat that I met my closest friends. Through this group, I met the only other girl studying physics while on her Erasmus+. We became close friends, and she introduced me to some of her friends who lived in the same accommodation as me. A year later and we still all talk every day! 

What about the language barrier? Do you have a favorite word or phrase in your host country’s native language?
Malta is a bilingual country, with its national languages being English and Maltese. Luckily for me, the University of Malta does all of its teaching through English, and English is spoken in the shops, restaurants, etc. However, Maltese people prefer to speak Maltese to each other, and so from a social aspect, I found the language barrier hard.  

Little jokes in Maltese during classes were tough but I quickly picked up some words, with ‘mela’ quickly becoming my favourite. ‘Mela’ is a word with many meanings, it can mean so, then, alright; it can be used to confirm something, to show disappointment, or to gain attention. It means whatever you want it to mean. I also took Maltese language classes at the university which were extremely interesting because Maltese is unlike any other language I know.  

What did you enjoy doing in your host country?
Swimming in the Mediterranean with my friends and watching the sunset over the sea quickly became one of my favourite things to do. Taking a dip in January was definitely a highlight – something I’d never dream of doing in Ireland! 

Swimming in the sea in January!

Weekends were all about exploring. With Malta being so small, I can safely say that over the ten months I lived there, I saw it all. I visited all three islands in the archipelago – Gozo, Comino, and Malta itself. I swam in the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon, wandered through the ancient streets of Mdina, Valletta, and Victoria, partied in the lively streets of Paceville, and even visited some famous filming locations. 

Lower Barrakka Gardens, Valletta

Malta is a country that loves its festivals and getting to experience celebrations like Notte Bianca (when every museum in Valletta opens its doors for free until midnight and live music fills the streets) and Carnival (a massive explosion of costumes, music, fireworks, and fun) were real highlights. 

Living in Malta also made it easy to explore the rest of Europe. My friends and I often caught cheap flights for weekend trips – I got to visit Lisbon, Athens, and Vienna, and I loved getting a taste of yet another culture each time.

Visiting Mosteiro Dos Jerónimos in Lisbon

Tell us about the positive takeaways from your Erasmus+ experience.
My Erasmus+ challenged me in so many ways, and all for the better. I became more independent and a lot more open to new experiences. I made the most amazing friends from so many different countries. So, not only have I experienced the Maltese culture, but also the culture of France, Spain, Czechia, Lithuania, Germany, Australia, and the USA! 

Visiting Hofburg Palace in Vienna

Erasmus+ is possibly the scariest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s also the best thing I’ve ever done, and I am so glad I decided to do it.  

How would you sum up your Erasmus+ in a few words?
Once in a lifetime experience! 

The Blue Lagoon, Comino

What are you doing now since your Erasmus+?
My experience on Erasmus+ taught me that the world is full of so many different people, and it sparked a massive interest in me to travel. As soon as I finished up my exams in Malta, I went travelling around Europe, visting countries such as Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia.  

Now I’m back in Ireland completing my final year of my course in Galway but I can’t wait to keep exploring the world, making new friends, and most of all, go back to see Malta! 

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All photos are reproduced here with permission from Grace.

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