Firsts for Everything

This week our students have been busy starting classes at the University of Malta. So have we!

The University has a somewhat odd system for getting international guest students into classes. Basically, they get to spend the first week simply dropping in on any lectures they think they might be interested in. Then, after tasting all the items on the smorgasbord, they get to register for the ones they like. Neat!

There are two flies in this ointment, however. One is that the University has a really arcane system for listing classes on its website. First, one must select a "course of study" (what we would call a "major") from one of the various "Faculties" (departments). Then choose a "unit" (a class) from that course, and discover the mode of assessment (exam, assignment, or project).

Because our students will be going home shortly after the beginning of the exam period (which extends well into the summer), most are looking for units assessed by assignment or project.

Having found a suitable unit, the student must make note of the unit number, then go to that Faculty's site to look for the current term "Timetable" to try to find out when the lectures for that unit are given. Often, one Faculty will have several timetables. Guess.

The timetable may, or may not, include the building and room number where the lectures for that unit take place. If not, they have to go find the Faculty Secretary's office and ask.

Easy, right?

The second fly in the ointment is that our students have been a bit reluctant to sample the smorgasbord. It's a great opportunity, but it's lonely to be the only American in a class. Several have commented that they never realized how difficult it is to be an international student! And it is. This means some compromises in terms of what they take.

Two special classes here are designed just for our students. A course on Maltese History is coordinated by Dr. Emmanuel Buttigieg -- a really nice guy who is willing to do this even though he is on sabbatical this semester. A second course is on "Contemporary Issues" in Malta, so it's a mixed bag. I am the instructor of record for that class, but it is taught by a series of guest lecturers arranged for us by the University's office for International Programs, overseen by Mr Mario Cassar. These two have been immensely helpful in getting us started this week.