Interpreters
Role
Conference interpreters at EU institutions ensure that the discussions held at meetings are correctly interpreted, using either simultaneous or consecutive interpreting. EU interpreters work in a stimulating, multi-cultural environment, and must be able to communicate effectively, grasp varied and often complex issues, react and adapt swiftly to changing circumstances, work under pressure, independently and as part of a team.
The same is true for interpreters at MEUP: smooth communication will be your responsibility. You will interpret speeches and debates, both from English and French into your mother tongue. While MEPs will communicate in English, your work will be vital for the understanding of French guest speakers and also make the simulation more realistic.
At MEU Paris, you will work mainly in a simultaneous mode, but you may also get the opportunity to practice consecutive interpreting in a real-life situation as part of meetings with our French guest speakers.
You will get the chance to put a variety of theoretical interpreting skills to the practical test in a realistic working environment with fascinating topics and motivated speakers - the best conditions imaginable for an excellent interpreting practice.
If you are a student or recent graduate in Conference Interpreting interested in gaining first-hand interpreting experience at the Assemblée Nationale and meet other interpreters and young people from all over Europe, do not hesitate to apply!
Qualifications
While MEU is a simulation, the interpreting has real-life consequences. We don’t expect you to be perfect just yet, but you need to have a certain experience to be up to the task of interpreting the complex subjects our delegates and guest speakers will be discussing.
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For this, your understanding of both English and French must be impeccable and you also need to be able to apply interpreting technique.
This is why we only accept students or recent graduates in interpreting studies, or applicants with a proven background in interpreting.
We understand that some of you might be interested in just experimenting with your foreign languages or in trying out something new. Unfortunately MEU Paris is not the place to do this.
Elisabeth Reisenauer :
"When I was asked to be part of the very first edition of MEU Paris in September 2018, I didn’t hesitate. As a recent graduate, MEU was the perfect event to put my interpreting skills to use, interpret fascinating guest speakers, meet new people and try to build stamina. Interpreting every day for a week is not something you get to do very often at university! The experience was very fulfilling, but also exhausting. This is why I have decided to join the organising team in order to voice the point of view and the needs of interpreters throughout the entire process of putting together the 2019 edition, which I am very much looking forward to already!"
Olivia Blanchard :
"Becoming an interpreter for the Model European Union Paris has genuinely been a once in a lifetime opportunity. Although I had never interpreted before, it was a goal of mine in my studies. I had never taken part in any type of simulation like MEUs or MUNs, and I did feel like my time had come. What I am trying to say, is that you have to step out of your comfort zone and go after the life you want. Now, I have grown as a person and I am incredibly proud of what we are doing as a team. Supporting the European project and educating the youth are two beautiful missions and I hope that you now want to join us on this aventure."