What will I miss from Malta?

After three weeks I will pack my bags and head to my home country Finland. For the first time in several years, I actually intent to stay there for some time. I already know that there are several things in Malta that I am going to miss. The year here has been good, educational, peaceful in its own way and full of many experiences. I have learned the good and bad of the Mediterranean way of life, and my patience has grown to new levels. However, I will surely look back to my time in Malta and miss at least these things:

Job opportunities and finding a job

I will definitely miss almost weekly LinkedIn messages, like this: Hi, I am recruiter from a company X and we have an interesting job opening and we would like you to apply for it. –. Contact me for further information“. In Finland the situation goes in a very different way. You browse different job ads for hours, apply for one by filling an online form, writing a personalised CV and cover letter and sending them into some black hole without ever hearing from the company again. If you manage to get into an interview, you will need to find all documents starting from your ancient high school certificate, go through two interview rounds and if lucky, do some IQ tests on top of that. When I applied for my current position, I sent an email with my CV, had a Skype interview and that was it! I wish things were this easy and full of common sense in Finland.

Well, the obvious, the weather

I have experienced nicer things than Mediterranean winters but it is still nothing compared to -30 degree frosty mornings in Finland. Also during the summer one doesn’t need to worry about the weather, the forecast will show only hot and hotter.

You work to live

In Malta people rather work to live than live to work. Right after your work you can head to the beach, to a bar or cafe for a happy hour, to dinner or to out for a barbecue. Of course you can do all this everywhere, but at least compared to Finland, things are so much chill and spontaneous here. You don’t need to schedule a simple coffee date weeks ahead, you can just casually go. This is something I want to embrace also when I return to Finland.

And the living is easy

The weather is pretty simple, sunny and nice. You don’t need to stress about the work, you don’t need to stress what to do after work. Life is easy, steady, almost a bit boring but in a very nice and relaxing way. You have pretty good purchasing power, are able to eat out several times a week and have weekend getaways in some European city. If you play your cards right, you are able to live in your own safe little problem-free bubble.

The people

I have to say goodbyes to my amazing work/roommates. Malta will always be here, but it is the people that have made this experience meaningful. It is the people I will miss the most. I have been lucky having been part of the most happiest workplace and managed to form actual friendships during my year. I will miss you guys and I hope to see you again!