The Japanese 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, and close to 100 percent are employed soon after graduation. They work at prominent international companies and organizations including, Honda, Google, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, the IMF, Bloomberg, the U.S. Department of State, and SMBC Nikko Securities; and at academic institutions such as Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and Rikkyo University. Many thrive as freelance translators and interpreters.
Current Employment: Freelance interpreter and translator (Tokyo, Japan)
First Job after Graduation: In-house interpreter, Honda (Tokyo, Japan)
Internship: On-site interpreter, Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center (California)
Degree: Conference Interpretation
Languages of Study: Japanese, English
Institute Advantage: The Middlebury Institute network, individual career advice, and the career fair are helpful. Now that I am a freelancer, I have expanded my client base using referrals from my professors at the Middlebury Institute and my former classmates.
Current Employment: Interpreter and translator, DeNA Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan)
Internship: Translation fellow, World Intellectual Property Organization (Geneva, Switzerland)
Degree: Translation and Interpretation
Languages of Study: Japanese, English
Institute Advantage: The Practicum in Interpreting course was incredible—it gave me the opportunity to interpret on a wide variety of topics, to get hours of actual interpreting practice, and to connect with other interpreters.
The demand for professionals with Japanese language skills is significant. Top companies are desperately seeking professionals trained in Japanese translation, interpretation, and localization management. Hear from our alumni on how the Middlebury Institute helped them launch exciting careers.
Middlebury Institute alumni from the Japanese master’s programs in translation, translation and interpretation, and conference interpretation as they share insights on how their Middlebury Institute experience has helped them in their careers and the wide range of opportunities for our graduates in the language services industry.
During the summer breaks, students take advantage of available internships at high-profile companies such as Honda, the World Intellectual Property Organization, and Daikin.
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.
Our classroom environment includes an optimal balance of native English and Japanese speakers, which fosters peer linguistic feedback and a more dynamic academic atmosphere. Courses cover a variety of topics, including economics, politics, technology, patents, health and medicine, and business.
We also often host guest speakers and career-oriented workshops.
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. for a year.
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.
If you would like to meet more of our alumni and learn about day-to-day life as a student in the Japanese translation and interpretation program, or the Japanese translation and localization management program, please visit our Instagram, Facebook and check out our blog.
Our faculty are active professionals who bring a broad range of experience and expertise to their teaching. They foster strong mentoring relationships with students, providing guidance on academic performance and career opportunities.
Associate Professor; Program Head, Japanese Translation and Interpretation
GSTI Visiting Assistant Professor
T&I Adjunct
| by Caitlin Fillmore
Aloha Komatsu won the Simultaneous Grand Prix, hosted by the Japan Association of Conference Interpreters (JACI), one of the largest organizations for interpreters in Japan.
| by Nozomi Ambe MACI ’23
Conference Interpretation graduate Nozomi (Zoe) Ambe shares how faculty support and the MIIS alumni network helped her launch a career as a professional interpreter.
Translation and Interpretation graduate Katrin Larsen shares how her coursework and internship helped her launch a career as an in-house translator and interpreter.
