Learn about what others have chosen to study and do through this innovative program.
Become an Interpreter: Study Remotely at the Glendon MCI
Rony Gao: Why should you choose the MCI?
MCI Alumna Patricia Ubeda, Staff Interpreter at the Government of Canada
Testimonials
Ahmed Al-Tameemi graduated from the MCI in 2016, with Arabic A, English B. From the start, it was clear to us that Ahmed was headed for success, not only because he possessed the raw talent to become an interpreter, but also because he worked tirelessly to hone his skills over the course of the program. He was very disciplined in the way he approached his interpreting practice, and his determination paid off for him. We sat down recently with Ahmed and asked him to share some of his key learning moments with future MCI students.
You helped coordinate the interpreting team that welcomed the Syrian refugees to Canada. What was that like for you?
It was a defining moment in my life and a landmark in my career as an interpreter when I was chosen to supervise a team of interpreters to interpret for 25,000 Syrian refugees who arrived in Canada. The task required a lot of preparation and hard work. I still remember the moment when the first refugee family arrived and was welcomed by the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. I was delighted to interpret for the Prime Minister and the family in question. I realized how important the role of interpreters is and how it can make a difference in the lives of others.
Photo of Ahmed Al-Tameemi
How did the MCI help you get where you are today?
The training I received at the Glendon MCI provided me with a solid foundation for my performance. Equipped with the skills I learned and the professional tips I received from my professors, I have been at the top of my game. In the MCI, I was trained to interpret in a variety of contexts and settings that mimicked the real market. I believe what I learned at Glendon will always support me in my career as an interpreter.
The Exit Exam at the end of Year 2 can be really nerve-wracking. How did you fare?
I passed the Exit Exam on my first attempt. It was both challenging and rewarding. It was challenging because it represents the final step of the program, where students are expected to show that they are ready for the market. The Exit Exam was rewarding because it motivated me to practice with a target in mind. It made me understand how I perform under pressure and learn from my mistakes. I believe the best way to pass the Exit Exam is to do daily routines of study and practice. Set a target for each practice. Plan ahead, eat healthy and sleep well.
What are you working on now? What are your plans for the future?
My dream is to interpret at the UN or any other international organization. Currently, I am preparing for the UN interpreters’ test and further honing my interpreting skills. I always believe that time and hard work are the essential keys to achieving targets.
Some of our graduates have a special place in our hearts. Fannie St-Pierre-Tanguay is definitely one of them. She was part of the first cohort of students who graduated from the MCI in 2014 with French A and English B. In many ways, Fannie and her classmates helped build the program as surely as its faculty and administrators did.
Fannie’s trailblazing did not end when she left the MCI. She was the first of our former students to secure a staff interpreter position. We sat down with Fannie recently to hear how her career has really taken off.
Tell us something about your current job, Fannie. What’s your role? What are the rewards and challenges?
I’m a staff interpreter at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. This means I interpret the political debates in the House as well as in some committees. Most of the time, we have to interpret from English into French, but once in a while, an MPP speaks in French, and we then have to interpret into English.
Photo of Fannie St-Pierre-Tanguay
The main reward from my job is that I learn something new every day. Provincial politics touches so many aspects of our daily lives, so the topics are infinitely varied. Also, it’s an honour to witness how the laws that govern us take shape. The challenges of this job include the speed and the density of speeches. Everyone has something to say, and they want to say as much as possible in the little time they are given!
How has the MCI helped you in your career development?
I would not be where I am now without the MCI. Obviously, every work environment has its own particularities and you learn a lot on the job. However, the MCI has provided me with a solid foundation in interpreting as well as the flexibility to allow me to adapt very quickly wherever I go.
I appreciate that the MCI did not train us for one specific organization or work environment, but rather gave us the tools to be able to work as an interpreter anywhere we want afterwards. That is a training philosophy with which I can identify myself, and I know it will continue to serve me well in the future.
Any advice for interpreter trainees who work between English and French?
Regardless of the language combination, my one piece of advice is the following: make stress your friend. There will always be unknowns; there will always be fast, incomprehensible speeches. You will never be prepared enough. That is the nature of interpreting. So what do you do? I’m not going to tell you “don’t stress”. Stress is natural, and if you don’t feel it, something is wrong. But don’t let it throw you off. Use it to your advantage. Channel that energy so that it helps you perform even better.
What do you think are the essential skills and qualities one should have to excel in this interpreting program?
To get into the program, you need to have good memory and strong language skills. You need to be curious about the world around you and committed to a lifetime of learning. But to make it through the two years, it takes focus and hard work. It’s a training process, not unlike what musicians or athletes go through. At first, it seems like you’re reaching for something that’s unattainable, and that can be frustrating. Luckily, you’re not alone on your journey – you have instructors to help and guide you along the way, and you have your classmates, with whom you can not only practice but also share experiences and work through challenges. When you finally start to feel like you’re making progress, it’s an incredible feeling, and it motivates you to work even harder!
What was your favourite part of the MCI experience?
In Year 1, it was my healthcare interpreting class – there was so much new knowledge to learn, and realizing that someone could lose their health or even their life if you make a mistake really kept me on my toes!
Photo d'Ania Bogdanova
In Year 2, I really enjoyed the fact that we got to interpret real events Glendon hosted – conferences, panel discussions, and keynote speeches. One of us would serve as a team coordinator: liaising with the event organizer, putting together a work schedule, and handing out receivers to the audience, so they could hear the interpreters. The rest of us would research the subject, prepare our glossaries, and do our best on the day of the event. It’s a precious learning experience – you’re on a live mic, you have a real audience depending on you to understand what’s going on, but you know your boothmates and instructors are there to give you a boost when you need it. It’s like having a small safety net that you don’t have outside of the university setting, and it really builds up your confidence.
What’s your take on the Russian-English interpreting market in Canada?
Interpreting as a profession is going through some significant changes – most interpreters now work as freelancers, so you have to hone your business skills as well as your interpreting skills to make a living. Learning how to recognize and take advantage of opportunities becomes one of the keys to your success. What’s great about Glendon MCI is the spirit of mutual respect and collegiality – you can always count on your instructors and classmates for advice and referrals, and that greatly expands your professional horizons. In my experience, with a Russian-English language combination, you can find work in Canada in conference, legal, healthcare and community settings. But you don’t have to limit yourself geographically – remote interpreting is steadily on the rise, for example, so you can end up working with a client overseas without leaving your home!
Learn More
The Graduate Program in Conference Interpreting (MCI) at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.