Interpreters play a pivotal role at MEUS. As an Interpreter, you will have the chance to interpret speeches, debates, press conferences and meetings from English into your mother tongue and vice versa. You will also be providing relay interpreting for other booths, thus ensuring smooth communication among participants.

Although all participants are expected to speak English fluently, your linguistic contribution will make the Conference more realistic, dynamic and inclusive. You will work mainly in the simultaneous mode, but you may also have the chance to provide consecutive interpreting services. In this way, you will hone your interpreting skills in a real-life working environment that provides the best possible conditions for an excellent interpreting practice.

At MEUS, we pay particular attention to professional standards that are key to optimal interpreting services and are set out by interpreting associations. All participants (MEPs, Ministers, Interest Representatives) are informed about the interpreting services provided and are encouraged to speak their mother tongue (if covered by the interpreting team), thus giving Interpreters a great chance to practice. Participants are reminded to deliver speeches at a reasonable pace and, whenever possible, to hand in statements beforehand to facilitate Interpreters’ preparation.

Interpreters receive continuous support both during and before the Conference. The MEUS Interpreters’ Coordinators have developed a step-by-step approach covering preparation in the lead up to the Conference, including terminology preparation, workshops and many useful tips on stress management and feedback. We want to make sure that Interpreters make the most out of this week at MEUS as we believe that it is crucial for their professional development. For this reason, Interpreters are constantly supported by the Interpreters Coordination team, which is always by their side.

Due to the ongoing uncertainty caused by the pandemic and our inability to guarantee a safe conference for all participants in Strasbourg, MEUS 2021 will be moved online. Following the lead of professional Interpreters, who have shifted to remote interpreting while adhering to strict professional standards, Interpreters at MEUS 2021 will have the chance to practice remotely. Interpreting at MEUS 2021 is a great chance to be part of a multilingual conference with educational value that unites people from all over the world, while honing your interpreting skills and networking with colleagues.

If you are a student or recent graduate in Conference Interpreting, this Conference is a unique opportunity to apply your interpreting skills in a real-life working environment, gain first-hand interpreting experience and meet other talented interpreters from all over Europe. With the highest number of languages covered by interpretation in any such political simulation, MEUS is a truly multilingual event. Don’t miss your chance to get a head start in your career as a conference interpreter!