Some people plan their move abroad for years. Others arrive for a one-week holiday… and end up staying for a decade.
Paulina Zaborowicz is one of those rare people who treats big change like a natural part of life. Originally from Piotrków Trybunalski in Poland, she first came to Malta in 2014, fell for the islands (and Gozo in particular), and returned in March 2015 with her husband to start from scratch.
Since then, her story has unfolded like a series of bold, creative reinventions: from the diving world in Marsalforn, to launching Paula’s Kitchen during COVID, to building a mother-daughter art project that gives new life to old objects, and finally to bringing pure magic to children’s events through Balloon Mania Gozo.
In this interview, Paulina shares what made Gozo feel like home, how motherhood reshaped her priorities, and why kindness and community are still her strongest “business strategy.”
A Leap of Faith that Turned Into Home
1. Can you introduce yourself and share what brought you to Malta?
My name is Paulina Zaborowicz. I’m originally from a small town in Poland called Piotrków
Trybunalski. My journey to Malta actually started quite unexpectedly back in 2014. My husband
and I came for a one-week holiday in Sliema, and during that trip, we took a short detour to Gozo for a couple of dives.
We fell in love with the islands instantly: the architecture, the warmth of the people, the weather,
and the incredible sea. It made such an impression on us that we went back to Poland, quit
everything, and just six months later, in March 2015, we moved to Gozo with nothing but a bit of
savings and a lot of determination.
What started as a leap of faith has become my home, and I think that move really defines my approach to life: when I see an opportunity or a place I believe in, I’m not afraid to work hard and commit fully to making it a success.
2. What made Malta feel like the right place to build a life after your first visit?
For us, it was the genuine warmth of the people that made Gozo feel like home right away. From the moment we arrived, we felt incredibly welcomed, especially in Marsalforn, which became our home for seven years.
Meeting so many kind locals and fellow expats really eased our transition. One of the biggest turning points was landing a job at a diving centre there – at the time, it felt like a dream come true. It let me combine my love for the sea with the chance to meet people from all over the world every single day.
When you find a place where your passion meets a supportive community, you don’t just
find a job – you find where you belong.
Reinvention Mode: From Diving to Entrepreneurial life
3. Your journey includes several career changes. How did those experiences shape the path you are on today?
I’ve always been someone who loves exploring and trying new things. I actually have ADHD,
which I’ve come to see as my engine – it means I’m naturally high-energy and I thrive when things are moving fast.
I’ve realized that I work best when I’m being challenged. That’s exactly what happened during COVID; instead of slowing down, I launched Paula’s Kitchen to share traditional Polish sourdough bread and cheeses, then started Loving Gozo Art with my mom to explore our creative side, a nd created BalloonMania Gozo to bring energy to children’s parties. These experiences have shaped me into someone who is incredibly adaptable and quick on my feet.
I don’t get overwhelmed by change; I get excited by it. It’s given me a very diverse toolkit and the
ability to connect with people from all walks of life, because I’m always curious about their stories.
Today, I bring that same ‘5-second’ decisiveness and enthusiasm to everything I do: if problem
needs solving or a new project needs starting, I’m usually the first one ready to go.
4. Your life changed significantly with motherhood. How did that shift influenced your next steps?
After years as a diving instructor, I transitioned to working behind the desk at the dive shop. It was a beautiful time in many ways as I was surrounded by friends and still got to meet divers from all over, but I quickly realized that sitting behind a desk is just not for me. My ADHD engine needs movement and variety!
I was incredibly lucky to have supportive managers who let me bring my son to the shop. He
basically became the dive centre’s mascot! But as much as I loved that time, I knew it wasn’t a long-term solution. I wanted a life where I could work efficiently, spend quality time with my baby, and feel truly fulfilled.
Motherhood gave me the courage to stop settling for a desk job and start building a world
that fits my energy and my family values.
5. In 2022, you started Paula’s Kitchen. What inspired you to turn your creativity into a business?
The inspiration for Paula’s Kitchen came at a time when I had left the diving centre to be a stay-at-home mom. My son was two years old, it was still the COVID period, and I was looking for a way to generate some extra income while staying at home with him.
In Poland, we have a deep-rooted culture of hospitality – we love to cook, to feed others, and to
make people happy through food. I grew up watching my mom and my grandma in the kitchen, and they taught me so much. I realised I had this incredible heritage of recipes and techniques passed down through generations that I could share with the community here in Gozo.
Family, Creativity, and Building joy on Gozo
6. You later co-founded Loving Gozo Art Workshop with your mother. What does this project represent for you?
Loving Gozo Art Workshop is really a tribute to my mother’s talent and our shared passion. My
mom was a teacher, and after she retired, she discovered a real gift for painting. She had visited us in Malta many times, and by 2023, she had a whole collection of beautiful works showcasing the natural beauty, landscapes, and architecture of the islands.
A mother-daughter project that proves it’s never too late to reinvent yourself and share your art with the world.
I’ve always loved decoupage, so we decided to combine our talents. Sustainability has become a core part of my creative process now. My decoupage is about turning old things into something new rather than letting them go to waste. I source thrifted porcelain, glass, and old wood, giving them a second life instead of throwing them away.
7. In 2025, you launched Balloon Mania Gozo. What gap did you see that led to this idea?
The launch of Balloon Mania Gozo in March 2025 was deeply inspired by my son, who is now six. Seeing the joy on his face made me realise I wanted to create that same magic for other children.
I specialise in on-site entertainment, traveling to any venue – from a small apartment for five kids to large outdoor events for over fifty. I offer a wide range of activities, including face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon modelling, games and crafts. One of my favorite additions is the giant soap bubble shows. Some of my best experiences so far have been performing these for kinder classes and childcare centres; seeing the little ones completely mesmerized by the bubbles is incredibly rewarding.
Paulina offers flexible, on-site party entertainment across the island, adjusted to your child, your venue, and your budget. To book, and enquire more details, contact Balloon Mania Gozo
Kindness, Community, and What Comes Next
8. As an expat, how was your experience dealing with bureaucracy and administrative processes in Malta?
To be honest, my experience with the bureaucracy in Gozo has been rather positive. I find it differs greatly from the system in Poland, which is very strict and rigid. Back home, the administration can be quite hard, and there is often no mercy if you make a small mistake or are a day late with a tax return.
Coming from that environment, I’ve found the Maltese approach to be much more human. Of
course, things can take a bit of time, but the people in the offices are usually helpful and welcoming.
9. What advice would you give to other expats or parents considering starting something of their own in Malta or Gozo?
My biggest piece of advice is to just jump in. Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ moment or until you have every single detail planned out. If I had waited until I felt 100% ready, I might never have started my businesses.
In Gozo, your best marketing tool isn’t a billboard – it’s how you treat people. If you approach this community with respect and a smile, you’ll find that the doors to both business and friendship are open wide.
For those with a family, my advice is to let your two worlds inspire each other. I found that being a mother didn’t hold me back; it actually gave me a sharper eye for what the community needed. Use that ‘multi-tasking’ energy to your advantage. It’s possible to build something professional while still staying true to your family values, it’s all about finding that rhythm that works for your specific life.
10. Would you like to share with our audience any future event?
Right now, we are very excited to be part of the ‘Made with Love’ event at Villa Rundle. It’s a
wonderful chance to see my mother’s paintings and my decoupage work in person. We will be there over the next few weekends, including Valentine’s Day!
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| Saturday, 31 January | 10:00–18:00 |
| Sunday, 1 February | 10:00–18:00 |
| Saturday, 7 February | 10:00–18:00 |
| Sunday, 8 February | 10:00–18:00 |
| Saturday, 14 February | 10:00–18:00 |
Since October 2025, some of our art pieces have also been available at Chrysalis Arts Studio in Xewkija (opposite the Gozitano Complex), where they can be viewed and purchased. The studio is now organising its first small exhibition featuring our artworks, giving visitors a chance to see the collection in person.
Furthermore, Balloon Mania will be there featuring kids events for Easter organised by Savina Creations and in Party Jungle Indoor Playground in Victoria.
Where She Belongs
Paulina’s story is a reminder that building a life abroad isn’t always about finding one perfect path, it can be about staying open, staying brave, and letting each new season of life shape what comes next.
From the sea to sourdough, from art markets to bubble shows, she has created a life that reflects her energy, her roots, and the community she fell in love with all those years ago.
And perhaps the most “Gozo” part of it all is the lesson she repeats with such confidence: relationships matter, kindness carries you, and if you truly show up for the island, the island shows up for you too.
If you’re an expat living in Malta or Gozo and have a story worth telling, we’d love to hear from you – connect with us through our social media bellow or complete a contact form via our website.
English 
Danish 
French 
German