Become a translator in Geneva

Masters student Alanna Wilson-Duff (left) with Helen Slatyer.

The opportunity to finish your postgrad degree at one of Europe's oldest and best schools of translation and interpreting is now on offer to Macquarie students.

The University of Geneva trains interpreters for the United Nations and for the literary translation that is so important in European culture. With 13,000 French-speaking students, this major Swiss institution also offers access to winter sports and a lively program of music, dance and theatre. The International Federation of Translators also has a strong presence in Europe.

The first student

Alanna Wilson-Duff, "a passionate translator", is the first Macquarie student to go to Switzerland for the final six months of her Masters of Interpreting degree. A qualified teacher of French and English and a NAATI-accredited translator, her dream is to become a literary translator. Meanwhile, she will practise the commercial translation that is the bread-and-butter for most in the early years of their careers. She will find plenty of French-to-English translation work in Geneva.

The program will also offer a European student the chance to come to Macquarie. Students from Geneva who want to study in Australia will welcome the experience of an English-speaking environment.

What you will gain

"Being at university in another country is an excellent way to understand its culture. It's a very different experience from just travelling through," says Helen Slatyer, Associate Lecturer in the Department of Linguistics at Macquarie.

Students in the French stream of the translation and interpreting programs come from a range of backgrounds, both French and English native speakers. The programs have a strong linguistic basis, an excellent grounding for a career in translation or interpreting.

Slatyer herself has worked extensively as a conference translator, including in France and Australia. She has worked for major international organisations such as UNESCO and the OECD, as well as for private enterprise, both in-house and freelance. She also has over 10 years' experience as a conference interpreter.

How to apply

Those interested in following Alanna to Geneva will need to demonstrate a high level of competence in a European language. They will be a year into studying for a Masters. They will be taught in French, and will need to use it every day.

An automatic grant from Macquarie's International Office is available for successful students, to assist them financially. They will, however, have to find their own place to live. Fees are paid as usual at their home universities.

At the end of their exchange experience, with the course successfully completed, degrees will be conferred at the home university.

For more information, contact Helen Slatyer at helen.slatyer@ling.mq.edu.au

More information on translation and interpreting programs within the Department of Linguistics can be seen at www.ling.mq.edu.au/translation The University of Geneva website is at www.unige.ch

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