Malta or Norway
 

Two options for next spring. Silena, Malta or Lillehammer, Norway. I'd be attending the Universities in these areas and living in a flat with 5 other people. Any experts on these areas have any suggestions?

Re: Malta or Norway
 

i'm far from an expert but i'd choose malta for the better weather and the closeness to all the good mediterranean countries.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

I'll add some information I suppose.

On Norway trip we'd also travel to a fishing village on North Sea, Stockholm, Wittenburg, and St Petersberg.

On Malta trip we'd travel to Rome, Greece, and Istanbul.

Anyone know anything about Norwegian or Maltan food?

Re: Malta or Norway
 

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone know anything about Norwegian or Maltan food?

[/ QUOTE ]

I spent 2 months in Norway a couple of summers ago. It's a beautiful place, but it definitely has the worst food I've ever eaten under any circumstances, high school cafeteria included. I'm pretty sure a couple of Norwegians post here though and should be better able to advise you... but IMO the food is naaaasty.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

Norwegian food = fish and potatoes.

Not all that exciting.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

Funny, Lillehammer of all places, it is just a small town (at least by American standards). I have been there a few times, have 2 friends who have studied there, several who have lived there etc., what do you want to know?

Re: Malta or Norway
 

i love licking lemon lollipops in lillehammer.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

[ QUOTE ]
On Norway trip we'd also travel to a fishing village on North Sea, Stockholm, Wittenburg, and St Petersberg.

On Malta trip we'd travel to Rome, Greece, and Istanbul.


[/ QUOTE ]

Ugh, both? Both would be very fascinating, I assume, however second option seems like the biggest experience for an American (I assume you are).

Re: Malta or Norway
 

[ QUOTE ]
Funny, Lillehammer of all places, it is just a small town (at least by American standards). I have been there a few times, have 2 friends who have studied there, several who have lived there etc., what do you want to know?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, the meetings were back to back and both have clear advantages and disadvantages. It will really be a difficult decision. I'm pretty torn, but luckily don't have to make a decision til August, so I can do some research (and all you can help me).

Mostly just about the general social atmosphere of the place. I'd be living with 5 other people from my college and am wondering if it easy to meet new people and really immerse myself in a different culture (to what degree it is at least). Are people friendly, open, do they have a sense of humor? Do they like Americans? Stuff like that. Also, is Norway really as beautiful as everyone says? Or do I just see a few select pictures here and there?

Re: Malta or Norway
 

Wrt to food, I think of all countries I have been too (and its a lot) Norway ranks third lowest (above Belarus and Russia). It is tragic compared to many countries, especially in a place like Lillehammer. In Oslo the selection is better than in many other countries and there restaurants are also very good but the rest of the country basically sucks, it is not only lack of variation but the quality of much of the ingredients is also bad (we have a protected agricultural sector in a country where the climate is not good for agriculture, go figure [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]).

Re: Malta or Norway
 

[ QUOTE ]

Mostly just about the general social atmosphere of the place. I'd be living with 5 other people from my college and am wondering if it easy to meet new people and really immerse myself in a different culture (to what degree it is at least).


[/ QUOTE ]
I don't think it is going to be any big cultural shock wrt USA vs Norway, also basically everybody you will meet speak English, know a lot about US, have seen many of the same tv-shows you have seen, listen to some of the same music etc., so probably not so big. But the culture shock of coming to such a remote place can be big, if you are used to living in a big city I think you will face a huge cultural shock.

[ QUOTE ]
Are people friendly, open, do they have a sense of humor?

[/ QUOTE ]
Sense of humor is good. In Norway almost nothing is taboo to joke about (or talk about), so it is a fun place in that regard.

People are generally seen as not friendly and closed by foreigners. It has to do with the way we speak and body language I think. We usually say our opinion very directly which many people from other cultures find very rude.

[ QUOTE ]
Do they like Americans? Stuff like that.

[/ QUOTE ]
They do. They hate Bush however, so be prepared to receive very negative comments about him (comparisons to Hitler etc.).

[ QUOTE ]
Also, is Norway really as beautiful as everyone says? Or do I just see a few select pictures here and there?

[/ QUOTE ]
It really is, I have been taken to the most beautiful places by local people in other countries and I could always objectively think of 50 places more beautiful in Norway. It is unique in Europe, it is not only on top of the list, but has a huge margin to the 2nd. However, you will have to get out of the Lillehammer area which is nothing special, so one way or another you will have to be mobile, I recommend buying a car.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

this is a typical Norwegian:
http://www.midtsiden.no/midtsiden/im...aritraa200.jpg

so is this:
http://www.urb.com/online/features/images/annie_01.jpg

as is this:
http://www.citynoise.org/upload/4498.jpg


this is a typical Maltese:

http://anypet.com/breeds/maltese.jpg


your choice, Dude.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

Conversely ... name one great pro wrestler from Norway.

Baron Mikel Scicluna hailed from "the Isle of Malta".

Therefore, Malta wins.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

[ QUOTE ]
Conversely ... name one great pro wrestler from Norway.

Baron Mikel Scicluna hailed from "the Isle of Malta".

Therefore, Malta wins.

[/ QUOTE ]

whatever floats your boat, Sparky. Take the wrestler, I'll take the chicks.

[img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Malta or Norway
 

hmm...If i had any game your advice would matter. Damn.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Anyone know anything about Norwegian or Maltan food?

[/ QUOTE ]

I spent 2 months in Norway a couple of summers ago. It's a beautiful place, but it definitely has the worst food I've ever eaten under any circumstances, high school cafeteria included. I'm pretty sure a couple of Norwegians post here though and should be better able to advise you... but IMO the food is naaaasty.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, I really don't get all the hate for Norwegian food. Granted they like to use dill (which I hate), but two of my best meals EVER were there- one in Bergen, one in Stavanger. Reindeer is some tasty meat.

When I visited briefly, the people were really cool. Try to say something in Norwegian and they'll switch to English, but they'll be happy you showed some respect. The reputation is supposedly that they're not as friendly, but that's just an appearance. Once you get them talking and show a little interest, they warm up fast.

And the women . . . good freaking god are they hot.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/3...goyagr2.th.jpg

Re: Malta or Norway
 

I think Malta would be a lot more interesting. Add this to the closeness to Turkey/Greece/Italy/Middle East... I would pick it.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

Malta and it's not even close. I see nothing too exciting in Norway.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

[ QUOTE ]
Malta and it's not even close. I see nothing too exciting in Norway.

[/ QUOTE ]

One quick question. I'm living on the north-central part of Malta. Are there any sand beaches nearby? Also, I heard that beer is like 6 US dollars a bottle in Norway, anyone know how much it would be in Malta?

Re: Malta or Norway
 

Live in Malta.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

Thanks for all the help. I think I'm leaning toward Malta.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

There are about two sandy beaches on the whole island, none near Sliema (I used to live in Sliema, it's [censored] and quite a long way from the university - where exactly would you be?)

If you like green space or trees, don't go to Malta.
If you like lots of hot slutty women and cheap booze, go to Malta. It's where all the hot scandinavian chicks go on holiday.

Clubs in Malta don't even start getting busy until midnight or later, and beer is almost free for those of us with First World incomes. Some of the best meals I've ever eaten were in malta and it's not expensive.

I lived in malta for nearly a year, it was awesome and poo at the same time.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

[ QUOTE ]
There are about two sandy beaches on the whole island, none near Sliema (I used to live in Sliema, it's [censored] and quite a long way from the university - where exactly would you be?)

If you like green space or trees, don't go to Malta.
If you like lots of hot slutty women and cheap booze, go to Malta. It's where all the hot scandinavian chicks go on holiday.

Clubs in Malta don't even start getting busy until midnight or later, and beer is almost free for those of us with First World incomes. Some of the best meals I've ever eaten were in malta and it's not expensive.

I lived in malta for nearly a year, it was awesome and poo at the same time.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would be at Marian Flats I believe in Sliema (15 minute walk from tourist spot, close to Valetta). I believe a short bus ride to the University. Does that help?

How cheap would booze actually be?

Re: Malta or Norway
 

If you go to Paceville (club district) you might pay as much as 1 lira for a drink. That's about 3 bucks maybe?

Don't know Marian flats I'm afraid, but 15 mins walk from paceville (the area with the casino with a soft like butter poker game, clubs, the expensive hotels, and a small sandy beach I forgot about) is decent.

Re: Malta or Norway
 

Malta - casino, tourists, Med - plus Greece, Istanbul and Rome. The history - Knights Templar (sp?) etc. Warmer, cheaper and Sicily pretty close as well. No contest.