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Describe the kinds of tasks you performed during the internship.

During the internship, my primary responsibilities involved translating legal documents, which included government communications, motions, and petitions related to ongoing cases. I also worked on documents necessary for case preparation, ranging from newspaper articles, client statements, birth certificates, and custody authorizations to the different forms used in the various clinics. Also, I provided interpreting services during client and attorney meetings, acting as a mediator to guarantee clear communication between the two.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced?

One of the most significant challenges I faced was interpreting—it was my first time interpreting formally. I felt anxious about possibly not being familiar with the terminology used during the meeting or forgetting a term while interpreting. Some of the documents for translation were more difficult than others. For those, I had to do more research on the legal terms used and their translation. Additionally, some of the formatting was tough to replicate, which made it challenging to keep the same format while translating. This was especially difficult because legal documents were different from what I had translated before, which required me to adapt and learn about the translation of these documents.

Another challenge arose from the nature of the information I was translating. These were real cases involving real people, some grappling with difficult situations. As a translator, there were moments when I needed to take breaks because it became overwhelming to deal with such sensitive materials. Similarly, interpreting also took an emotional toll; nonetheless, I had to maintain neutrality during these meetings, as my role was facilitating the conversation.

What was most rewarding about the experience?

The most rewarding aspect of this experience is knowing that I've been able to help students and clients in advancing their cases. It's incredibly satisfying to know that my translations and interpretations positively impact someone's life. The learning component has also been gratifying, especially applying what I've learned in the classroom to actual circumstances, which has been extremely valuable. Additionally, working at the clinic has increased my confidence in my ability to interpret in the future by providing me with experience in legal translation and interpretation.

Did the experience foster your interest in translation/interpreting professionally?

This internship experience fostered my interest in exploring the field of legal translation and interpretation. Initially, I was hesitant to translate or interpret legal meetings due to the high accuracy required in translating legal documents and interpretation. However, after gaining some experience and practicing in the clinic, I have become more confident in my abilities and now feel capable of pursuing this field.

What surprised you about the experience?

One thing that surprised me was the difficulty of legal translation and interpreting. As an interpreter, you need to meet with the student attorneys in advance to get an idea of the topic of the meeting, what will be discussed, and some specialized terminology that might be used. This way, you can prepare beforehand by researching the terms and their meanings. It is challenging as it requires excellent memory, quick thinking, and the ability to switch between both languages seamlessly. When it comes to translation, many factors need to be considered, especially if there are cultural differences from one language to the other that can affect the translation. Differences in formatting or the meanings of specific terms can occur, making the task more challenging. Even though I am a native Spanish speaker, I still had to do some research on Spanish terminologies that differed from my variation of Spanish.

Before starting the internship, I was very nervous and wondered whether I could complete the task. I remember feeling intimidated by the idea of working in a professional environment and worried about making mistakes. However, I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone and take on the challenge. Over time, I realized that I was enjoying the experience. I liked the feeling of working on something meaningful and challenging and was excited to see the progress I was making. Looking back on my internship, it was a valuable and rewarding experience. It helped me gain confidence in my abilities and taught me much about the professional world. I am grateful for the opportunity and look forward to applying what I learned in the future.