Malta
Malta, a tiny island nation off the coast of Italy, is an often overlooked destination for travelers, students, and interns alike. However, Malta is worth considering. For starters, it's extremely affordable, has a mild Mediterranean climate, and is arguably one of the safest places in Europe.
Also, as one of the few English speaking countries in Europe (with English and Maltese being official languages), it offers a more affordable and off the beaten path alternative for students who want an English speaking internship in Europe, but aren't dead set on the UK.
At the same time, Malta is very small with a population of about 500,000. As such, there isn't the same diversity of internships here as in other parts of Europe. Tourism is the biggest industry for internships and archaeology students will have luck here too. Internships in other fields, such as marketing or education, also exist.
Top Industries
As a small nation, Malta doesn't offer the same diversity of internships as other European countries. However, its main industry, tourism, provides quite a few options for interns. Additionally, Malta is unique in that it also offers archaeology students internship opportunities.
For the most part, internships will be in one of the following fields:
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Archaeology
- Healthcare/Medical
- Marketing
- Media (Photography, Film, etc.)
Popular Cities/Destinations
The country of Malta is an archipelago made up of three islands: Malta, Comino, and Gozo. Most of the internship opportunities are in Malta, the largest island of the three (no one lives on Comino, and Gozo is mostly agricultural).
Costs
While some of the internships are paid, some are unpaid, and most programs include fees of some sort. The prices vary widely depending on the program and its length, but in general, the cost of an internship program for up to 3 months will be $2,000 - $3,000. Once in Malta, the cost of living is quite low.
Health & Safety
There are no major health or safety risks for travelers to Malta at this time. Overall, it's an incredibly safe country with even small crimes, like theft, being relatively unheard of. Keep in mind that the tap water in Malta is not potable. Be prepared to drink mostly bottled water during your stay to keep healthy. Regardless, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you be up to date on routine vaccinations like the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. When you travel abroad for your internship, also consider signing up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) through the U.S. Department of State. This is a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
