Late night skinny dips, mass drunkenness, assaults, neighbourhood noise pollution... lurid headlines have added to the perception that English language students are out of control in Malta.
I feel welcome in Pembroke where I live; the local people are friendly. I’m here to learn English but also to have a nice time. I go to Paceville every night until late. Of course it is good for Malta that students come here, not just for the economy but so they can meet new people.
Laura Patricia Azenal, 18, Spain
I love Malta because the sea is blue like the Caribbean and there are many discos. Every night I go around Paceville but I have to be home at around 1.30 a.m. Enjoying myself is more important than learning English while I’m here.
Emiliano La Torre, 17, Italy
We are kept busy because lots of activities are organised by our school, such as trips to the beach. At night we go out to Paceville; it’s important to have fun. The students behave well and at my residence the students are usually home on time. I haven’t heard about any problems that language students cause for Maltese people. I think many tourists cause problems but I don’t think it is students. In reality, I haven’t seen many Maltese people; I see Italian and Spanish people but not many Maltese.
Lucia Palacio Sasse, 16, Spain
I’m here both to learn English and have fun. In the evenings I go to Paceville, but not every night. Most language students behave OK but sometimes some of them drink a lot and make lots of noise. My Maltese neighbours in Pembroke make me feel welcome and I don’t have any problems. Malta is very beautiful; I love the weather and the beaches.
Alexa Hesse, 16, Germany
It’s important to learn English but I prefer to learn and have fun at the same time. In the evening we either go to activities that our school has prepared for us or we go to the beach, but not Paceville. Students do get drunk and cause some problems, but not with local people. Besides, I think all the money that Malta gets in the summer is from the students.
Patricia Martinez, 16, Spain
I’m here to learn English and have fun with my friends. Maybe language students do cause some problems for local people; in Paceville there is a lot of noise but in Pembroke it’s OK. We have never had any problems with our neighbours or the police in Pembroke.
Jelena Sasowsky, 14, Germany
In the evenings we party and go swimming at St George’s Bay. I don’t think the noise the students make is a problem. It’s good for Malta that students are here; we spend a lot of money.
Denise Hille, 17, Germany
I love Malta, it’s a beautiful place. Every night we go to Paceville where there are many nice discotheques. Learning English is important but I enjoy going to Paceville more. I go almost every night but I have not seen any students having problems with the police or with local people.
Andrea Barbagallo, 17, Italy
I came here to learn English and have fun. I have classes for two hours a day and in the evenings I like to go to the beach or go out to Sliema or Valletta, where the parties are quite enjoyable. I don’t think students disturb people in the evenings, I have never seen any problems.
Kovacs Bence, 15, Hungary
We always speak English in Malta so coming here has helped my English a lot. In the evenings we go to discos, smoke shisha, or go to the beach. The Maltese seem very cool but I don’t talk so much with them; most of the time I am with French people or Italians, Germans and Austrians. It’s good for Malta to have so many students because it brings in money.
Victor Piermont, 16, France
Malta is a very beautiful island and I like it a lot. When I’m not in school I go to the beach or the swimming pool and obviously in the evenings I go to Paceville and have a lot of fun. There is clearly a lot of noise around the Paceville area but people expect that, so I don’t see why anyone would complain.
Mathilde Picquart, 17, France