Meet Tia
Modern Languages, Translation and Interpreting BA (Specialised in Spanish and Japanese), Class of 2024
Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you've done since graduating
My name is Tia, I’m from south-east England. I was a student at Newcastle University from 2020-2024. I studied Modern Languages Translation & Interpreting (specialising in Spanish and Japanese). I spent the majority of my year abroad at Ibaraki University, Japan. A few weeks were also spent at the University of Granada, Spain.
While studying at Newcastle, I worked part-time at Nando’s. After graduating, I continued there full-time while searching for a job related to my field. Eventually, I began an unpaid internship at a translation agency, where I spent 6 months being trained in translation project management.
My internship was a great opportunity to draw directly on the skills I had gained in my degree. It also allowed me to expand my knowledge in areas such as subtitling, project coordination and the recruitment of freelance linguists.
At the end of the internship, I was fortunate to be able to stay on as a Project Manager. I was then able to leave Nando's. I now work full time at the translation agency and I love it!
Why did you choose to study at Newcastle University?
What initially drew me to Newcastle was the T&I specialism offered for Modern Languages. Very few universities offered such emphasis on these skills and I knew this was where my passion lay.
My decision to go to Newcastle was then instantly confirmed when I saw the city, the university and the array of resources available to Modern Languages students. Coming from the south-east, it was also an exciting change to experience living in the north. Newcastle felt safe, easy to navigate and, I have to say, the people are much more friendly!
How do you think your course prepared you for your chosen career?
Without a doubt, my course helped me to build a solid foundation for what I do now. Having a strong understanding of translation theory has been essential when quality checking translations. My skills allow me to identify issues and make better decisions.
Prior training in CAT Tools gave me a big advantage in the interview process and is something I use on a daily basis. Finally, knowledge of subtitling software and conventions has also been key in my work on audiovisual projects.
What did you enjoy most about your time at Newcastle University?
I loved the Language Resource Centre! It was an absolute gold mine of books, media and various other resources, which helped greatly with my studies. The tandem partner schemes and conversation workshops organised by the LRC were particularly helpful.
Another thing I enjoyed was the amount of activities and societies available to take part in. For example, I tried out photography, fell walking, Zumba and badminton. The ‘Give it a go’ outings were also a great way to see more of the city. For example, we got to go ‘behind the scenes’ at the Tyne Theatre and the football stadium.
Ultimately, I liked that Newcastle University offered a good balance between life and study.
Describe your time at Newcastle University in three words
Insightful. Invaluable. Exciting.
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