QUEST FOR ADVENTURE: VOLUNTEER INTERPRETING
In order to develop my quest for adventure, I chose to "identify a new area or challenge that makes [me] nervous in the area in which [I] would like to test [my] abilities, and then give it a try".
More accurately, however, the new challenge identified me.
After I met with the advisor for my Spanish minor to discuss courses for next semester, she forwareded me an opportunity for engagement in the local community. A nearby elementary school with a large Spanish-speaking population was in need of volunteer nterpreters for parent-teacher conferences.
As a non-native speaker who had taken a mere three Spanish classes at the University, I worried that I would not be fit for the job. What if I came across words I didn't know? What if the parents did not understand my accent? After much equivocation, I decided to email the volunteer coordinator and sign up for a few shifts.
When I arrived at Paint Branch Elementary School on November 11, the paucity of volunteers was apparent. Teachers were scrambling to find interpreters for parents who were waiting in the halls. No sooner than I could take off my coat was I whisked away to a pre-kindergarten classroom where a conference had just begun. I took a seat in a miniature-sized chair and nervously began translating. The teacher seemed new at this, because she rarely paused to allow me to translate. Several times, I would forget the entirety of the comment before I could translate it. "Lo siento" I timidly apologized to the mother for whom I was interpreting. My eyes were like ping pong balls, bouncing back and forth between the teacher, to signal that I was ready for the next chunk of information, and the mother, to check for understanding. My worst fear came true came when the teacher began to recommend that the student pursue speech therapy, a term my brain just couldn't find the translation for. I froze for a minute, before trying my best to circumvent the words and explain the concept the best I could. "Ah, la terapia de lenguaje," the mom nodded, melting away the expression of panic from my face.
At the end of the conference, I apologized to the mom for any botched translations and thanked her for her understanding. In turn, she thanked me profusely for my help, the sincerity apparent in her smile. Armed with the confidence instilled by her gratitude, I interpreted for four or five more conferences, gaining more ease and fluidity with each one.
At the end of the afternoon, the other student volunteers and I were sincerely thanked by the volunteer coordinator, who let us know that we really made a difference that day.
The Takeaways:
This experience required me to take risks and test my abilities. Though initially I was very anxious, I emerged with new confidence in my Spanish skills. This confidence will also translate to other areas in which I wish to try new things: whether it be in pursuing the study of a new language, taking on a new leadership position or initiative in an organziation that I lead, or tackling a new and difficult project at work.
This experience was all the more rewarding because in meeting my own personal goal, I was able to render service and help others.
