My first semester at the University of Malta has just come to an end, and I am left with a few weeks free time to ponder my experience so far, and write a few essays! Reflecting on the past four months I recognize that I have learned an immeasurable amount since my arrival in Malta. The majority of my lessons have come from outside of the classroom. Living here has allowed me to gain deeper insight on what it means to be Canadian. I realize all of the little things back at home that I love and have become accustomed to. For example, the giant supermarkets like Loblaws or Longo�s, I never appreciated how convenient they are. However, I must question, why are all of the fruits and vegetables so perfect back at home compared to here? Are genetically modified foods bad for humans? I do like knowing that I am only consuming �natural� products here.
At home, I also truly appreciate our legal system. In fact, as a law abiding citizen I have never encountered any problems with it. Is it because our system is more just, or is it always more difficult for foreigners? I recently took a trip with a few friends to Amsterdam, where we enjoyed various tourist sights such as the Van Gogh Museum and Heineken Brewery. We also had fun exploring the �Waterloo Square market�, a fun and trendy place to bargain shop. At this market I purchased a few souvenir ashtrays for my friends back in Canada. These ashtrays where shaped like a Marijuana leaf. The rest of our trip went smoothly until I arrived back at the Airport in Malta. The customs officers decided to pull us over to search our bags. After sifting through my bag of dirty underwear, crusty travel clothes, and a perfume I purchased at the duty free shop in Milan, the officer came across the two brand new ashtrays I had picked up in the market. �What are these?� he asked�and I replied with honesty, �Ashtrays�. All of a sudden I felt like a criminal, a foreigner, not knowing the laws of the country, was I not allowed ashtrays in this European country where everyone and their mother seems to smoke? �This symbol is illegal in Malta!� the officer firmly stated. I shyly uttered, �Under what law sir?� He loudly bellowed back at me, �Under the law that says Malta does not promote the use of any kind of drug�. Not knowing my place in this society, and agreeing to adhere to all of their laws, I let the man pocket my ashtrays. He also decided to take a map of Amsterdam I had that had an ad on it containing a so-called �illegal� marijuana symbol. When I returned to the residence one of the Maltese receptionists told me this was ridiculous. She called the local police who said they were not aware of such laws. The next few weeks my roommates and I noticed an assortment of items across the country containing this symbol. In Valletta (the capital city) on the main road a store called �The Fun Shop� has various objects with allegedly criminal marijuana symbols, even including, ashtrays!!! Another store on the same road had door curtains with chains of unlawful marijuana leafs on them. I am assuming either the law does not exist, or is not at all followed. The custom�s officer treated me rudely and unprofessionally and even filled out the confiscation form wrong, writing in I flown through Rome instead of Milan. I decided to go to the Canadian consulate with the issue, who was kind but most unhelpful. I was not at all upset about losing the material items, but I was outraged at my unjust treatment. The experience taught me a lot about justice, and made me genuinely understand the importance of fair law enforcement.
NOTE: I was just reading The Globe and Mail online today (January 29, 2004) and there was an article about how the Polish President was forced by storm to land in Newfoundland, Canada. He felt very insulted by the way in which the Canadian Custom's officers treated him: they would not let him leave the air port, he suggests they thought he was possibly an illegal imigrant. So, for the record, I realize it is always difficult being a foreigner, even in the best of circumstances!!!
Other issues regarding the law that were interesting to me involve women�s rights concerning topics like abortion. In December there was an article in the newspaper about a Russian woman who was not allowed to leave Malta because it was suspected she was leaving to have an abortion (which is illegal in Malta, alongside divorce). I understand there are many ethical questions surrounding these topics and I am better able to consider these things while living in a country with entirely different laws. Since the majority of the country is Catholic they are able to establish their laws based on Catholicism.
Returning home for the Christmas vacation was a wonderful luxury! I greatly appreciated home cooking, my comfortable bed, English television stations, cable internet and the presence of my family and friends. I also was able to realize things about our society that were unhealthy and in complete contrast to what I experience in Malta. Such as everyone always saying �I don�t have time� Everyone apparently did not have time to: eat healthy, work out, visit dying relatives, or go to the doctor. It is sad that in a busy city many people don�t realize they are so engaged with work and other distractions that they often forget to remember important aspects of their lives. Sundays in Malta are quite enjoyable, and force everyone to relax. Seeing as nothing is open (except Churches and restaurants), everyone is given time to be with their families and friends, and time to regroup and prepare for the upcoming week.
There is no �perfect� human society, it is important to realize this. It is wonderful our world has an assortment of cultures allowing us each to have the opportunity to live in the one most compatible with our own character. Experiencing this society that is very different from my own I am truly able to understand the strengths and weaknesses of my own lifestyle.
I look forward to the next 5 months in Malta. Jasmin, Matt and I are moving out of the student residence and into an apartment by the sea. We will be located in walking distance from Paceville (the night life) and Sliema (the trendy shopping area). My room has a balcony with a sea-view. I will miss living in Lija (where the University Residence is). Today as I was walking through this quant, picturesque town to get fresh bread from the bakery. I saw that the headline of the Malta Times today �Air Malta plane hits pylon while taxiing�. I heard a horse trotting behind me in this warm spring January weather and I had a moment! What a beautiful place here, it is so different than anything I could ever experience at home. I feel so lucky to have this experience abroad. The next 5 months are for me to ponder about myself, my future ambitions and my life. I just have to remember not to get caught up with the city buzz when I return to Toronto in June.
