The Chinese translation and interpretation program equips students with the latest skill sets for exciting and rewarding careers.
We have a well-connected and influential alumni network that is eager to help you launch your career. Our recent graduates are sought after around the world by high-profile organizations for opportunities such as managing localization projects for Silicon Valley giants like Apple and Google; interpreting at high-profile events such as United Nations conferences, U.S.-China state visits, the Olympics, and APEC and WTO Ministerial Conferences; working with Bank of China on many levels; translating materials for government and nongovernment groups; and translating literary volumes. Some thrive as freelance translators and interpreters.
We have also successfully prepared current students for the United Nations language competitive examinations.
Current Employment: Mandarin translator/interpreter for the County of Santa Clara in San Jose, California
Degree: Conference Interpretation
Languages of Study: Chinese, English
Institute Advantage: Career fairs helped me form new connections and step out of my comfort zone as a student. Additionally, the interpretation training at the Middlebury Institute, such as the practicum and various interpretation classes and exams, thoroughly prepared me for the interview process.
Story: How I Got Hired: Mandarin Translator/Interpreter, County of Santa Clara
Current Employment: Associate localization producer with Blizzard Entertainment in Irvine, California
Degree: Translation and Localization Management (with Translation courses)
Languages of Study: Chinese, English
Institute Advantage: The Institute’s alumni network helped me connect with people in the industry to gain more insights, and class projects I completed gave me hands-on experiences that I was able to share during the interview.
Story: How I Got Hired: Associate Localization Producer, Blizzard Entertainment
Current Employment: Freelance conference interpreter, certified court interpreter and translator, adjunct instructor at UCLA Court Interpreting Program
Degree: Translation and Interpretation
Languages of Study: Chinese, English
Institute Advantage: Being an interpreter is so much more than just having the hard skill sets, i.e., the linguist proficiencies, note-taking mastery, the ability to work under pressure, etc. My experience at MIIS is instrumental in making me a more well-rounded linguistic professional.
Story: How to Become a Certified Court Interpreter in California
Current Employment: Founder and CEO of Global Strategic Initiative, LLC
Degree: Translation
Languages of Study: Chinese, English
Institute Advantage: I found the career management course, career fair, and advice on my résumé from the Center for Advising and Career Services (CACS) very helpful. While still in school, I received three job offers and started working as an interpreter, translator, executive assistant, accounting specialist, and terminology specialist. Two of my Immersive Professional Learning experiences turned into ongoing work.
Story: How I Got Hired: Founder and CEO, Global Strategic Initiative
During the summer and winter breaks, students take advantage of available internships at organizations including Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, Hara, Kyocera, Translations.com, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, and ISI Language Solutions.
Thanks to our small class sizes, you will receive individual attention, immediate feedback, and intensive mentoring from your professors, greatly accelerating your development. This also means you will have more hours of practice in our interpretation booths, giving you a competitive edge once you graduate.
Courses are content-based and market-oriented, with balanced emphasis on contemporary literature, law, international relations and politics, economics, environmental protection, energy, intellectual property rights, trade and commerce, medicine, and technology.
The Practicum in Interpretation facilitates students’ transition from the classroom to their first professional assignments by offering them a wide range of interpretation experiences. Advanced interpreting students become comfortable with working in settings in which different modes of interpretation are called for and where relay interpretation is the norm. Students provide simultaneous and consecutive interpretation at the Institute’s public events and taped conferences, in interdisciplinary courses, and as part of community outreach; they also work intensively together in multilingual practice groups during the semester. The Practicum in Interpretation reinforces the concept of reflective practice, requiring students to evaluate their own performances as well as those of their peers.
Our international students greatly benefit from the immersive English environment at the Middlebury Institute. Upon graduation, international students may be able to take advantage of Optional Practical Training (OPT) to work in the U.S.
We offer a wide range of scholarships to make this investment in yourself and your career more affordable. More than 95 percent of students who request scholarship consideration receive institutional support. U.S. and international students are eligible.
Thanks to the generosity of the Stilwell family and friends of the Middlebury Institute, each year we offer several $10,000-per-year (prorated by program length) scholarships to deserving students from the People’s Republic of China. Preference is given to students who intend to return to China to pursue a career. Recipients must maintain good academic standing throughout their course of study in order to retain the award. This scholarship is only available for fall start students and eligible applicants should apply to a Middlebury Institute degree program by April 1 to be considered.
Applicants who have earned a master’s degree from a recognized translation and interpretation program OR have at least two years of relevant full-time professional experience are eligible to apply for Advanced Entry. Learn more about Advanced Entry for the Chinese translation and interpretation programs.
Our faculty are active professionals who bring a broad range of experience and expertise to their teaching, having translated and interpreted for organizations such as the U.S. State Department, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the World Trade Organization, and many more. They foster strong mentoring relationships with students, providing guidance on academic performance and career opportunities.
Professor; Program Chair, T&I Degree Programs
Professor, Chinese Translation and Interpretation
Professor of Professional Practice
Associate Professor; Program Head, Chinese Translation and Interpretation
Associate Professor
Associate Professor, Chinese translation and interpretation
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
Associate Professor
Associate Professor
Professor Emeritus
Professor Emeritus
| by Lyu Jiayi MACI ’21
Conference Interpretation graduate Lyu Jiayi shares how her training, mentors, and the MIIS alumni network helped her launch her translation and interpretation company.
| by Xinyi Tiffany Cao MACI ’23
Alum Tiffany Cao shares how MIIS interpretation training and perseverance led to her role as a Mandarin translator/interpreter for the County of Santa Clara.
| by Wanshan “Pearl” Lin MATI/MAIPS ’96
Translation and Interpretation graduate Wanshan “Pearl” Lin shares how faculty mentorship and career advice helped her launch a career as an interpreter.
