B&A welcomes 2 new interns

Continuing with the long standing tradition B&A welcomes two new interns for the fall semester. Internship program has always been an important part of B&A philosophy as a great way to raise quality of services in the linguistic community and to mentor aspiring language professionals. In the past B&A had interns that spoke Russian, Polish, Spanish, Portuguese, Ukrainian and Italian. Selina and Eric, B&A current interns add more languages to the list.

Selina is a native speaker of German who grew up in a small village named Rockenhausen in South-West Germany. She started studying English as a foreign language in 5th grade and French as a second foreign language in 7th grade. The German public school system differs in many ways from the U.S. system. It requires students to take at least six years of English and four years of a second foreign language ─ French, Spanish, Italian, Latin or Russian. Following 10th grade German students have the option to choose between changing to a vocational school and staying in high school. In high school students are required to take three more years of English up until graduation but taking a second foreign language is optional.

Selina considers herself to be passionate about different languages and cultures. That is why she pursued a post-secondary education at the Johannes Gutenberg–University in Mainz, Germany, with a Major in English linguistics, Cultural Studies and Translation, and a Minor in Spanish. Selina graduated from Mainz this summer with a Bachelor’s degree.

Classes in translation and interpretation, the real-life experience acquired during a translation agency course, have convinced her that this is a career option she would like to explore. One of Selina’s goals is to gain more experience in the field of translation and interpretation in a professional environment ─ which also implies being involved in the daily pressure of deadlines and client needs. She also hopes to gain more knowledge of the entire translation process and everything it comprises by working together with the various departments of the company.

Selina is currently learning how to proofread and format various translations and helping out the Translation Project Manager. She is also working on an introductory article for the new interpreting e-learning course of Bromberg & Associates pertaining to the situation of Court Interpreting in the U.S.

B&A’s next new intern is Eric Miller Jr. He is an African American male, native to the Westside of Detroit. He is 25 years old and a recent graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in East Asian Languages and Culture and a specialization in Asian Studies. His primary focus was on the Japanese language and culture. He said that his time at MSU was very enjoyable and he also absorbed many things outside of the classroom. He has got to know many people of different races, backgrounds, religions, and so many other great things that make everyone different and unique.

In high school, Eric was one of 30 students of his year to participate in the honor’s program. Every student had to take a foreign language at his school, but one of the requirements for the honor’s students was to take the hardest foreign language for two years. Japanese was the hardest. It was then he became acquainted with Asian culture through his first Japanese teacher, Ms. Yoko Ueno. After completing his requirements and graduating, he further pursued more intensive learning of the language in college.

Eric has also had the privilege of studying abroad in Japan in the summer of 2005 on an even more intensive study of the language. Upon his return, Eric graduated with a degree and a commitment to self study of the Japanese language for the duration of his life. So far, working at Bromberg & Associates Translation Agency has greatly benefited him in learning about with the production and fluidity of the company. He offers B&A his skills in the English language as well as his knowledge of the Japanese language and culture.

B&A team is happy to welcome both Selina and Eric and looks forward to an exciting, challenging and fun filled experience.