Nicole Vassallo, Jude Magro, and Amy Borg have obtained their Postgraduate Diploma in Interpreting Studies in June 2025 and successfully passed the European Union’s interinstitutional accreditation test this month.
The trio will now join the pool of accredited conference interpreters for the Maltese booth within the EU institutions.
‘A workout for the brain’ – Nicole Vassallo
Reflecting on her achievement with WhosWho.mt, Nicole Vassallo expresses pride in completing what she describes as a particularly demanding course.
“I feel very proud of myself that I made it to this point because it was a year full of ups and downs,” she says.
"The course was highly intensive and unlike any other master’s program, as it combined research with extensive practical work. Some days, we spent up to five hours in the interpreters’ lab practicing interpretation"
Ms Vassallo shares how she discovered interpreting early on in her studies. “I didn’t always want to be an interpreter, but I went to a job fair in secondary school and discovered this job. I was always leaning towards it or translation. Then I took a crash course and realised that interpreting was for me, so I took the course.”
She adds that she was drawn to the profession because of its variety and intellectual challenge. “I chose this career because it gives me a lot of flexibility and lets me come and go from different countries. Even as a freelancer, it’s a dynamic job and one that you will always keep learning from. You’re always going to be met with something new – be it a conference on fish in the Mediterranean or a completely different topic. Another thing I like about this job is that it stimulates my brain and keeps me on my toes. It’s like a workout for the brain.”
Additionally, she says that she “always wanted to work in something related to diplomacy or communications.”
‘A journey with a lot of ups and downs’ – Jude Magro
For Jude Magro, the path to becoming an interpreter was not a straightforward one. “I feel very happy – it was a journey with a lot of ups and downs, but finally I’m here,” he says.
He explains to WhosWho.mt that his initial interest was in translation rather than interpreting. “I always liked languages, and at first I wanted to study to be a translator, not an interpreter. But after I spoke with some interpreters, I realised how much of an interesting job it is, where one can show their skills with the languages they use, so I chose to start the journey to become an interpreter.”
“The course wasn’t easy because it’s only a year long and very intensive,” he continues. “However, with a lot of work, motivation, and persistence, I achieved what I wanted.”
‘An honour to give prominence to the Maltese language’ – Amy Borg
For Amy Borg, interpreting was a calling she discovered during her undergraduate years.
“I took the decision to study interpreting during the three years of my bachelor’s, when I registered for a DegreePlus course. It was love at first sight,” she recalls. “After the first session I felt, without a doubt, that that was what I was going to study the following year.”
She describes the experience as both challenging and rewarding. “Emotionally and mentally, the experience that led me here wasn’t easy, but the excitement I had to enter the Maltese booth overruled any anxiety I had during my studies.”
Ms Borg also expresses her deep appreciation for the Maltese language. “I always loved the Maltese language, and it is an honour for me that I can show this love in a tangible way on a European scale, and give more prominence to the language on an international level.”
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