Preparing for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Internship

It is always nice to return to work after long winter holidays. The second-year MA students of the Caspian Higher School of Interpreting and Translation start preparing for one of the most significant events in their studies – an internship in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation – where they will spend two weeks mastering their interpreting and translation skills under the supervision of the best MFA interpreters.

The MFA sets up strict requirements for interpreting and translation; that is why the curriculum the students follow is drawn up in accordance with these requirements. The students interpret speeches and interviews of the heads of state and politicians. It is not always an easy task as their speeches bristle with set expressions and idioms. On the one hand, they complicate interpreting, but on the other hand, they make interpreter’s work more interesting. Besides, the students get a valuable experience interpreting speeches of well-known politicians like Vladimir Putin, Sergey Lavrov, John Kerry and David Cameron.

Interpreting requires a long-term training. The students work with speeches on their own before the class. They memorize the translation of some difficult expressions and clichés. Special attention is paid to the speech speed, intonation and pauses that are really important things for high-quality interpreting. However, unprepared interpreting is also practiced during the classes as interpreters often face unpredictable situations they must be ready for.

Moreover, the students have an opportunity to practice interpreting not only from English but also from French into Russian and vice versa. As part of their training, they interpret Franҫois Hollande’s speeches delivered to the French Parliament as well as speeches given during different international meetings. The students are very glad to get such an opportunity as the tasks they do to prepare for the MFA internship will also help them to get ready for their upcoming final exams.

There are only few weeks left before the internship. May good success attend our students!