Long before I had even an inkling as to what localization was, I thought translation was a kind of magic. The idea that there are people who posses the ability to give us access to new ideas, stories, and ways of life that we would otherwise have no way of understanding is nothing short of incredible. As an M.A. candidate in the Translation and Localization program at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, I have begun to learn how the translation and localization industries work, and how I can contribute my efforts and passions to help make our global community more connected. Though I am pleased to report – the act of translation and localization itself still has not lost its magic; even, as my favorite wordsmith once said, now that I know how it’s done.
I graduated from Willamette University in 2018 with a B.A. in Japanese Studies. Immediately after graduation, I moved myself and my then-boyfriend now-husband to Gunma, Japan where I worked as an elementary school Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) on the JET Programme. I loved living in rural Japan, and especially enjoyed using my language abilities to travel and explore the country. After my experiences in Japan, I decided I wanted to pursue localization as a career and began studying at MIIS. I have a long road of learning and development ahead of me, but I am eager to gain more experience in the language services industry.
