Leuven Study Trip 2019
From 18-20 March 2019 a group of 18 final and second-year UCD SLCL students, accompanied by Dr Gillian Pye, Dr Sandrine Peraldi and Dr Sabine Krobb, took part in a study trip to Brussels and the (opens in a new window)Leuven Institute for Ireland in Europe. The visit was a fantastic, stimulating learning experience, providing a unique insight into the crucial role of languages and intercultural communication in the EU and the career opportunities available to graduates in EU institutions.
Participants enjoyed lectures about translation ((opens in a new window)Prof. Peter Flynn, KU Leuven) multilingualism ((opens in a new window)Dr Louis Roppe, former mayor of Hasselt) and the work of NGOs in Europe and beyond ((opens in a new window)SB Overseas and the (opens in a new window)World Wildlife Fund).
The group also had the opportunity to visit the (opens in a new window)EC Commission, where they met with the Head of the French interpreting unit Mr Pascal Mathieu. At the (opens in a new window)EU Parliament the group was addressed by Róisín Abbot, the (opens in a new window)Parliament’s first Irish translator, and received a surprise visit from Vice President (opens in a new window)Maireád McGuinness before going into the gallery of the chamber to hear interpreters at work during a high-level (opens in a new window)conference on Oceans.
The final morning of the visit was spent at the (opens in a new window)Directorate General for Translation, where a fascinating range of talks illuminated the contemporary working environment for EU translators, from the latest translation tools and practices to web translation and recruitment procedures. A highlight of the visit was the chance to chat to both trainees and to experienced translators, one of whom, Geraldine McKenna, is a UCD graduate with a degree in French and German.
Picture 1 is showing the students at the EU parliament in front of the flags.
Picture 2 is showing staff and students at the EU parliament with Roisin Abbott and Mairead McGuinness at the back.