Daniel is a graduate from the BA French and Spanish, before completing MSc Business Translation and Interpreting at the University of Strathclyde.

Tell us a little bit about your background...

I studied French and Spanish for my Bachelors degree before completing my MSc in Business Translation and Interpreting. I loved my time at Strathclyde and was provided with a terrific arsenal to succeed in the language service industry. 

My degrees got me a job with My Language Connection, a young growing agency in Glasgow servicing various technical industries with translations and other language services. 

3 years on, I’ve been able to rely on the fantastic teachings from Strathclyde as the business has grown to one of the most exciting companies in the industry.

What drew you towards undertaking a Masters degree?

I always enjoyed studying languages at school and heard great things about the language department at Strathclyde. When deciding, I had various students and alumni telling me all about the different possibilities that came with a language degree.  It certainly opens up a lot of opportunities. 

However, a massive selling point was the year abroad that comes as part of the course.  I was given the opportunity to live and work in Cordoba, Spain enjoying 45 degree heat while absorbing the language and culture in the most effective way possible. 

In my final year, we delved more strongly into the science of translation and interpreting which peaked my interested.  I applied to the MSc in Business Translation and Interpreting having had such a great experience with my first degree.

Tell us about the format of the programme. What was a typical week like?

Studying languages at university was very different to school. What always struck me was that a typical week did not involve much contact time.  In my Bachelors, you had three classes per week for Spanish, three for French.  For my Masters, you had 3 two-hour tutorials every week.  You quickly realise how much hard work is down to you. 

You have to be streamlined, organised and take inspiration from the many resources you have from Strathclyde.

Tell us a little bit about your experience on placement...

My equivalent to placement was my year abroad in Cordoba, Spain. It was one of the best years of my life.  I worked in a small school in a rural village about an hour outside of Cordoba.  The locals could not have been more welcoming and I was made to feel like a VIP.  The students and staff had such an appetite for improving their English.  It was great to see!  Having worked what always felt like a short day, I’d move straight into holiday mode for tapas and sunshine. 

What was the academic support at Strathclyde like?

I can’t speak highly enough for the academic support at Strathclyde. You always felt like they’re on your side.  You’re all adults, and you can have a completely normal conversation but then when you’re facing a challenge, you know you can lean on their expertise.

What are your hopes for the future?

I work for My Language Connection Ltd – a language service agency based in Glasgow and Dubai. I use what I learned from Strathclyde every day of my life when speaking to clients and linguists.  It’s a fascinating, very fast-paced industry. 

It takes a lot of hard work and knowledge to succeed and the lessons I learned from Strathclyde have allowed me to do just that.

What advice would you give to someone considering applying for MSc Business Translation and Interpreting?

Be prepared to work very hard. I’m proud of my achievements at Strathclyde, but I’d be the first to admit that I could have done even better if I spent more time in the library.  Strathclyde give you all the resources to succeed, but it’s down to you to put them into practice. 

The second thing I’d say is you won’t regret it.  If a year in a foreign country doesn’t sell it for you, I’m not sure what will.  However, just in case, you’ll work with so many interesting people and open yourself up to so many different types of employers.  I can’t overstate the benefits I’ve had since leaving university – both professionally and personally – of speaking three languages.