The Forum: YOUR Questions, Answers,Comments

Wanted: Questions, Answers,Comments

Dear Readers,

This section is for you to write back and forth to each other. Address the post to me—Ilene—if you want me to specifically answer something.  But, mostly this is for you to talk to each other. I will eliminate anything that I deem is inappropriate—except for my stuff, of course, because that would mean eliminating the whole blog.  Enjoy…

Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Joy--Unfortunately, you are correct--the salaries here are very low. The only people who come here from abroad and don't take a big pay cut are those who work for foerign companies. As for your situation, I don't know what would happen to your careers if you left here after a while and tried to return to your current salaires. But if you come here, the cost of living, as far as renting goes, will be cheaper. That's about it. Coming from the U.S., you at least know about the health insurance problems. You would not be covered by any American health insurance in Malta. Depending on what your benefits would be with your husband's company, you might have to buy private European health insurance which does not cover pre-existing conditions at all. On the other hand, the health care here is very good, including the national health care which you would receive if you worked and paid into the health care system. If you had to pay for out-of-pocket medical costs, it is much more affordable here. So--it's basically a toss-up: much lower salaries than you're used to in the U.S., but also some lower costs for renting and medical care. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do--Ilene

[Joy]

Hi I have a quick question.

My husband has a possibility for an internal transfer to Malta with his company. We are Americans (currently in Singapore) and are concerned about the salary data we've seen online. It looks like the low cost of living keeps salaries low as well.

Do you know of any expats who took a pay cut to go to Malta and then had difficulty getting their salary back up when they left? We'd love to go try it out but are concerned it will be akin to career suicide.

We're both master's-level professionals - my husband works for a large MNC, and I work for an American university.

Any words of wisdom?
Thanks,
Joy

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Stayce--Wow--you have an interesting situation there! I have to say that I've known different minorities in Malta, but not a combination of all three that you say.

I do know of male gay couples who are Maltese. I don't know how they are received, however.

Unfortunately, Malta is not a very liberal or accepting place in general. It just passed the divorce law this year--the last country in the world to do so--except for the Vatican. So that gives you some idea.

I do know that some black people have felt discriminated against here in Malta.

I have to say I just don't know. I hope you get some answers from other people reading this.

As a Jewish American, the only discrimination I have experienced is at work--by my boss who is Maltese. As you may expect, I'm looking for another place to work.

Please do contact me if you do come to Malta. I sure would like to meet you and your partner; you sound interesting.

All the best--Ilene

I sure would like to meet you and your partner; you sound interesting.

[Stayce H]

Hi Ilene!

Great blog!! It's quite informative.

I've been looking at Malta for quite some time but was wondering what it's like for triple minorities ( black, gay & female). I don't know if you've encountered or have any black & or gay friends there but I'm curious to know their (Maltese) views & treatment of people of color & same sex couples. My partner & I are looking for a safe place to land and Malta keeps showing up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Stayce (^.^)

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Matt--thanks so much for the compliment. Your EFL qualifications sound excellent. Because you are from the EU, you shouldn't have a problem getting a job in Malta. Getting an EFL teaching job in the summer in Malta should be fine, too, as that is the high season for language students. But the winter--the low season--is a very different story. I bet you earn a lot more where you've taught than you would earn in Malta. The pay is low. I would also suggest you read an article I wrote when I wasn't so happy with my first EFL school here:

Want to Teach at a Good EFL School Abroad?
9/13/2010

If you have your EFL qualifications, it sounds like a great and romantic adventure to teach English is another country over the summer. And it is. But every EFL teacher knows that a language school is only as good at its DOS (Director of Studies).

The URL for this is:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5783224/want_to_teach_at_a_good_efl_school.html?cat=16

Best of luck for whatever you decide to do--Ilene

[Matt Lewis]

Hello Ilene
I'm an ESL teacher, with a CELTA, 2.5 years' teaching experience in Korea, and 1.5 years' teaching experience (non-ESL) at the university level in the USA. I have dual citizenship: USA/UK, and I have both a US and a UK passport. I'd like to come to the EU and work in 2012. Can you give me any advice as to working in Malta? Is it worth the trying, with my qualifications? Thanks very much for your time; you obviously put a lot of work into this blog, and it shows!

Matt

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Thank you, Mr. S, as always, for taking the time to research this question for the young lady xxx Ilene

[Mr.S.]

Hi Chamilsha,

there are 3 international schools in Malta:

QSI International School
Verdala International School ( US system)
St.Edwards School (British system)

Verdala charge around 8000 € /year and offer boarding for around 7000 €/year.

St.Edwards have a boarding school that charges 16.000 €/year including tuition fees.

You can find a lot of info about schooling in Malta by going through the posts about schools at this web site:

http://www.expat-blog.com/forum/341-6-study-in-malta.html

I will send you a message to your e-mail also.

I wish you luck
Ricky

[chamilsha shehara]

Hello
Im chamilsha and I was searching all over the internet for a site to help me with finding some information about Malta. So I hope this site will be a great help for me.
So Im 16 years old and a sri lankan and wanting to have my education in the english medium. I would be very much appreciated if you can tell me some internation schools in Malta with low cost fees, because it should be a prize for us to afford, because my siblings aswell are willing to study there. I see that this site shows nothing about education, I suppose. But if you can tell me a site which can answer my questions and which can answer me back. Please be kind enough to tell me. I'm waiting hopefully for your reply. Thank you very much.
Sincerely Chamilsha.
Please reply to me to my mail. It's chamilsha14@ymail.com

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Here's an answer from Ricky to Anthony regarding residency for an American friend who wishes to come to Malta to teach English:

1) Teaching English at one of the public or private schools in Malta will prove to be impossible (no Maltese teachers degree and presumably no Maltese language skills).

2) Teaching English to foreign students (what Ilene does) will probably not work either( US teaching degrees would need to be authorized by a commission. That could be difficult as US and Malta-UK systems are different). Ilene got her qualification through getting a CELTA degree here in Malta. But she was denied a work permit renewal after one year as the job agency argued that they have enough teachers without work in Malta.

3) That would leave the International schools like Verdala ,QSI and a few others.

Generally speaking, he would get residency for up to 3 years through a work permit and he would have to find an employer willing to apply for a work permit for him. He cannot apply himself. If he comes to Malta without a work permit he would have to get the work permit within the 3 months tourist visa period. Not that easy.

This is the link for the residency requirement for third-country nationals:

http://www.foreign.gov.mt/Library/Cit/CEA8-URP.pdf

and these are the regulations for a work permit:

http://www.etc.gov.mt/docs/ELU_Guidelines_16082011.pdf

Best regards
Ricky

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Here's a good question I received by email about the process of becoming a resident via a partnership with a EU national:

I was reading your blog, "An American in Malta" and read about all the grief you had when trying to get a work permit. I read further on that you managed to get a residence permit because you are the family member of an EU national. When you say family member do you mean direct family, such as a mother, father or child? I would like to know the process for getting a residence permit.

Thanks and regards,
Anthony Buttigieg

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Thanks, Ricky, for your realistic response--Ilene

[Mr.S.]

Hi Ana,

I just saw your question.

If you are in Dublin now you probably came on a tourist visa. Being from Brazil you should be able to visit Malta and the Schengen area for up to 3 months stay. Visa is issued on entry and allows travel in all Schengen countries for up to 3 months.

Unless you are highly qualified and/or really lucky or really rich you will find it nearly impossible to work in Malta.

See some of the previous questions that refer to jobs/residency for third-country nationals(non-EU).

Regards
Ricky

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Everyone--here's a question from Ana:

Hello,
My name is Ana from Brazil

I will be in Malta in next week for holidays was in Dublin for 3 year with student visa went home in December of 2010 6 months ago i came to Dublin again just to arrange some things here Could you explain is it possible for non European to get a job in Malta or is it takes a lot of time?
I am seeking for a job in Portuguese Customer Service

Thanks.

[Mr.S.]

Hi Timothy,

To be honest, I don't know a single expat family with children that gets along without a car. There seem to be just too many occasions when you need a car: shopping trips to a supermarket (there is no large supermarket in Valletta), school activities , after-school stuff, getting around in general.

Biking in Valletta won't be fun and is dangerous. There is hardly a level road, but mostly steep streets or uneven steps. And when you see the Maltese driving skills and habits, you will want to avoid getting close to cars with a bike.

What makes you want to live in Valletta? Most expats live in some of the many towns and villages dotted around the island.

If you give a bit more information about your stay, I can give you better advice.

Regards,
Mr. S.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi--I received this question from Timothy:

Hello!

I've been reading your blog - keep up the good work! My family and I will be moving to Malta in just 3 months, and it would be great to connect with you before we leave the USA. Can a family survive easily without a car? It seems like it should be fairly easy to just use bicycles to get around Valletta, and then use the bus service for longer trips.

Anyhow, any advice you have is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Tim

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Timothy,

Thanks for writing and it's good to be prepared. But I don't know what kind of information you're really looking for. Please post again in THE FORUM and be a little more specific so readers can help you. Good luck--Ilene

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Another question for today--this time from Timothy--and then I'm off for a siesta:

Hello,

I might be moving to Malta in the next 4 months, and saw your blog - thanks for posting so much good info! I was wondering if you have any advice for a small family moving close to the Pembroke area - it is near the school where our kids would go, etc. Any advice is appreciated!

Again, the move isn't 100% decided yet, but I want to be prepared. :)

Thanks,
Timothy

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Adrian,

Thanks for writing and your kind comments. I hate to burst the Malta bubble for you, but there is not enough work in the winter months to support the average person--at least not in the schools I've worked for. Even in the height of the season--the summer months--it's not enough for someone coming from another country. You might try the largest schools located in St. Julian's and Paceveille. The salary, depending on your training and experience--can range from 7 to over 10 Euros per hour after taxes. To really survive, you would have to have some other income from the USA or share the expenses with another person. The best of luck to you--Ilene

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi again--here's a question from Adrian on the salary for EFL teachers in Malta:

Hi Ilene,

Just a quick note to tell you that I've been reading your blog for the last
few days and it's been both informative and inspiring. And very entertaining
too!

I am also planning on taking a shot at the Maltese island life soon. I fell
in love with the place 4 years ago when I visited in February and spent my
evenings eating al fresco and in a t-shirt. I'm London based so I really
take a cold beating every winter.

I am interested in your experience as an English teacher. I'm planning on
taking the same route and wonder whether there is enough work during the
winter months to keep a roof over one's head. Also, I am curious about what
I can expect as a salary to begin with.

I have many more questions I want to ask, but don't want to hassle you too
much.

Anyway, I wanted first and foremost to say hi and offer my appreciation for
your sharing of your experiences.

With thanks and warm regards,
Adrian