Zavier. Made Different

Why I chose Malta

I’ve always been interested in medicine. For me, it really started around Year 9 in school, when we were doing lessons on the digestive system. That was the trigger point where I thought, “This is something I really want to do.” I loved sciences, especially biology, and from then on, I was set on becoming a doctor.

At first, I had been looking at Queen Mary London for university, but then I found out about the Malta campus – and once I visited and saw the campus on Gozo, met students, and got a feel for the island, it really confirmed it for me. The community feel stood out straight away.

Life on placement

I’m about to go into my fourth year, and placements have been my favourite part of the course so far. I prefer the clinical years more than the pre-clinical years – you start off with a lot of theory and lectures, but once you’re out on placement everything comes to life.

Whether it’s taking bloods, doing an examination, or even just talking to a patient on a ward round, it reminds you why you’re here. It grounds you and keeps you motivated. I’ve realised I definitely want to work in a hospital – I want the night shifts, the surgeries, the fast-paced environment. Every time I’m on placement, it feels like I’m getting closer to that dream.

A small but supportive community

One of the best things about Queen Mary, Malta is the close-knit community. The whole university is around 250 students across five years, so you know everyone. There’s a real family vibe – you can bump into people from any year and strike up a conversation.

The lecturers and tutors know you by name. You’re not just a number; you’re seen as a person, and they really want the best for you. The anatomy centre is brilliant, and because the groups are so small you get a lot more exposure and one-to-one teaching than you might at a larger medical school.

Outside of studying, there’s a lot of student life too. I was part of the student committee (BLSA) in second year as an entertainment officer, which meant organising events like Freshers’ Week and the halfway ball. That was a proud moment for me – being able to give something back to the community and seeing everyone enjoy the events we’d put together.

Living in Malta

Moving away from home was a big adjustment, especially because I’d always lived locally before. But the friendships I’ve made here are like a second family, and we all support each other through the ups and downs.

The lifestyle is definitely different – Gozo is small, so sometimes it feels intense seeing the same people all the time. But we find ways to make it fun. Potlucks are a big tradition, where everyone cooks food from their own culture and shares it. We also spend time at the Campus Hub in Malta, which has a mix of students from different universities and nationalities, and that’s a nice way to get a change of scene.

Made Different

For me, “Made Different” means learning alongside people from all around the world. Our cohort is incredibly diverse, and that makes the experience so enriching. I’ve got friends from Switzerland, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.

It’s opened my eyes to so many different cultures and perspectives, and I think that’s really important for the profession we’re going into. As doctors we’ll meet patients from every background, and being able to understand and respect different customs is vital. I don’t think I would have learned that anywhere else in the same way.

Looking ahead

The structure of the course here – placement every day, small groups, supportive tutors –keeps you focused and motivated. The hands-on experience has already given me confidence in clinical skills that I know will set me apart as I move forward.

When I first considered Malta, it felt like a risk. Now, I can honestly say I wouldn’t change it for the world.