“It Was Incredible!” — Faculty of Philology Hosts a Simultaneous Interpreting Workshop for All-Russian School Olympiad Participants
27 марта 2026
On March 26, 2026, the Department of Foreign Languages of the Faculty of Philology, RUDN University, held a career guidance workshop on simultaneous interpreting from Chinese and Italian for participants of the All-Russian School Olympiad.
The workshop was led by Associate Professor Anna Borisova, Candidate of Philological Sciences, and Senior Lecturer Alena Novikova. Native speakers also joined the event — postgraduate students Kang Yamei and Ralitsa Polezel — which added authenticity and allowed participants to immerse themselves in a real language environment.
During the session, students not only learned about the specifics of the interpreting profession but also discovered the key skills required for success in this field: excellent memory, quick reaction, stress resistance, and the ability to switch instantly between languages and cultures. Special attention was given to simultaneous interpreting — one of the most challenging and prestigious types of interpreting. Participants were introduced to working in an interpreting booth, the technical equipment involved, and the specifics of working at international conferences and negotiations.
The practical part sparked particular interest: participants tried themselves in the role of interpreters, translating from foreign languages into Russian and back. This format allowed them to experience the real dynamics of the profession and assess their own abilities.
Participants shared their impressions:
“It was incredible! I didn’t expect simultaneous interpreting to be so challenging, but at the same time so exciting,” noted one of the participants.
“I especially enjoyed working in the booth — you really feel like a professional,” shared one of the Olympiad participants.
The lecturers also spoke about further educational opportunities.
The Department of Foreign Languages offers the Master’s program “Methods of Language Teaching. Translation Studies. Simultaneous Interpreting,” aimed at training highly qualified translators and specialists in intercultural communication.
Today, the interpreting profession remains one of the most in-demand and promising: specialists work in international companies, diplomatic missions, educational and cultural projects, and can also build careers as freelancers, collaborating with clients worldwide.
The workshop took place in a lively, friendly, and inspiring atmosphere. Participants not only gained new knowledge but also felt part of a professional community, discovering new horizons for their future careers.
The workshop was led by Associate Professor Anna Borisova, Candidate of Philological Sciences, and Senior Lecturer Alena Novikova. Native speakers also joined the event — postgraduate students Kang Yamei and Ralitsa Polezel — which added authenticity and allowed participants to immerse themselves in a real language environment.
During the session, students not only learned about the specifics of the interpreting profession but also discovered the key skills required for success in this field: excellent memory, quick reaction, stress resistance, and the ability to switch instantly between languages and cultures. Special attention was given to simultaneous interpreting — one of the most challenging and prestigious types of interpreting. Participants were introduced to working in an interpreting booth, the technical equipment involved, and the specifics of working at international conferences and negotiations.
The practical part sparked particular interest: participants tried themselves in the role of interpreters, translating from foreign languages into Russian and back. This format allowed them to experience the real dynamics of the profession and assess their own abilities.
Participants shared their impressions:
“It was incredible! I didn’t expect simultaneous interpreting to be so challenging, but at the same time so exciting,” noted one of the participants.
“I especially enjoyed working in the booth — you really feel like a professional,” shared one of the Olympiad participants.
The lecturers also spoke about further educational opportunities.
The Department of Foreign Languages offers the Master’s program “Methods of Language Teaching. Translation Studies. Simultaneous Interpreting,” aimed at training highly qualified translators and specialists in intercultural communication.
Today, the interpreting profession remains one of the most in-demand and promising: specialists work in international companies, diplomatic missions, educational and cultural projects, and can also build careers as freelancers, collaborating with clients worldwide.
The workshop took place in a lively, friendly, and inspiring atmosphere. Participants not only gained new knowledge but also felt part of a professional community, discovering new horizons for their future careers.