Goodbye 2023 Internship Program – “Passion Inspiration”
The internship program “Passion Inspiration” officially ended on November 24th after two vibrant months of teaching and learning at Dr.Localize. All of us, from the mentors to the support team, feel nostalgic when recalling the first days of meeting and working with independent, life-loving girls who brought us lots of laughter and youthfulness. Thank you for trusting Dr.Localize to be the one to ignite your passion, sow the seeds of knowledge about localization, and enrich your professional preparation for your future career. The training group awards certificates to interns. We are aware that two months is a brief period in your long educational journey. Therefore, to the best of our ability, we have condensed information, knowledge, and practical experience into the simplest but most pragmatic learning & training program. We hope that, based on the fundamental information provided, you will have the motivation and goals to explore further career development and personal growth. The joy of mentors and program builders lies in witnessing a positive change in learners’ attitudes towards the profession, style of work, and translation quality. “Over the past two months, I’ve learned the appropriate working manners as a translator and editor in the translation process, from receiving tasks, reading instructions, creating a termbase, etc., to editing translations, evaluating, pointing out errors, and suggesting new translation approaches. Before my internship, I never thought that translation would involve so many phases and steps,” said Hai Ly.. “The training program has combined theory and practice, allowing me to apply knowledge to real-life situations. This helps me understand more about how to apply translation and language technology to practical work,” shared by Ngoc Anh.. Listening to these opinions, the trainers have even more confidence in the goal we are pursuing. Bright faces of the internship program We highly appreciate our learners’ proactive collaboration throughout the internship process at our company. In addition to the praises and encouragement, we have regularly received interns’ feedback on the teaching program, guidance, and their expectations. Thu Trang, an active girl, happily contributed, “Sister Cam has solid professional knowledge, demonstrated thoroughly in the suggested translations. However, her instructions could be more engaging and convincing. I think the tone, pace, and way of speaking are factors that can affect this.” Huyen Trang believes that “Due to objective factors and limited time, we haven’t practiced translating Vietnamese-English much and are not clear about choosing the right words.”. As the internship period is limited, Hai Ly also expressed a desire for “a bit more time for the internship, and if the mentors could provide additional guidance, that would be wonderful.” The positive feedback adds more positive energy to us, while the sincere suggestions help us understand the practical needs of the participants and areas where we can excel or need improvement. Thanks to this, we will soon develop more effective programs. Thank you all very much. As the short internship period comes to an end, we hope that what interns have learned and accomplished will be beneficial in shaping their self-image and contributing to their success on their career journey.
Internship Diary No.3
Hanoi, November 27th, 2023 Last Friday was the end of our Internship Program at Dr.Localize. We are somewhat relieved to have successfully completed our plans and goals, but a little bit wistful because we won’t be meeting our interns regularly from now on. In our internship program, those who show up late will be punished by having to sing, which is said to be a penalty, but it seemed more like a reward because they seemed to enjoy it so much. Luckily, they are not often late simply because they enjoy singing. At the end of the training session, whenever we sang, suddenly all the weariness of the day vanished, smiles appeared on everyone’s faces, and bodies swayed to the music. There are times when students are tired after stressful classes and exams, and the practical exercises during the practice hours are challenging, but thanks to the break and fun chatting together, the atmosphere of the class became lively again. Suddenly, the tune of “Last Christmas” that the girls sang suddenly resounded in my head when I recalled those memories. Bringing excitement and camaraderie to interns is one of our goals, and we believe we have achieved that. On the last day, one intern asked, “Will there be more internship programs? when will they be open?” These questions served as an encouragement for program creators, sparking plans for future programs which are specialized ones to supplement the knowledge we may have missed due to the time constraints. We hope that the internship at Dr.Localize becomes an unforgettable memory in their student life. Regardless of where they work or what roles they take on in the future, we hope that Dr.Localize will always hold a special place in their hearts.
Internship Diary No.2
Hanoi, November 3rd, 2023 We thought that two months would be quite a long time, but in the blink of an eye, eleven study sessions had already passed. The girls have become familiar with every nook and cranny of the office, and there’s hardly a corner where they haven’t taken a check-in photo (except for the boss’s office). After the first two weeks of getting acquainted with fundamental concepts of the localization industry and its peculiarities, we dove into specialized training. In our recent two classes, after finishing, some of the girls proudly showed me photos they named ‘Psychological Breakdown’. Yesterday afternoon, I treated them to longan wafers from Yen Bai and said, ‘These wafers are NOT sugar-coated, they’re delicious’. However, after practicing an exercise, one of them asked, ‘Didn’t you just say that these cakes are sugar-coated?’ I replied, ‘No, I said they’re not sugar-coated’. The girl then sighed in relief, ‘I thought studying was making me lose my sense of taste, I couldn’t taste any sweetness’. Well, hardships now will lead to happiness later, my dear students. Enduring the challenges of studying hard will make you more resilient in your future careers. All of us only hope that after this short but intense training, you’ll not only gain solid, in-depth knowledge but also achieve emotional stability and balance. Let’s strive together!
OUR OFFICE = OUR FULL HOUSE
Ever since we stepped out of student life into the professional realm, we acquaint ourselves with a second home where we spend a third of our day living and working. Let’s visit Dr. Localize’s house with Christina – a gentle yet vibrant elder sister who engages in shared activities. Surely, you would wonder why OFFICE is a HOUSE, even a FULL HOUSE??? Then come visit DrLocalize’s office once! You will enjoy and experience FULL HOUSE both literally and figuratively. FULL HOUSE = PERFECTLY ADEQUATE HOUSE, it’s real because you have everything from the food to the sleep here. You can “hang out” from morning till late, even over9. Sometimes, you leave the office late, say bye to the girl sitting in the corner, and the next morning, you still find her there. The cozy sofas always welcome you… It’s perfectly adequate because you can find all kinds of seasonings, instant noodles, fish sauce, salt, fruits, snacks… and all kitchen stuff to make a lavish meal here. FULL HOUSE = LOVE with kind-hearted brothers and sisters from all over the country who share the same ambition. They are beloved, close colleagues, passionately supporting each other like family. It’s a wonderful captain firmly steering the DrLocalize ship through the COVID storm and continues to grow strongly, not only stopping in the field of localization but expanding into professional training. It’s a joyous, laughter-filled lunch after hours of hard work, helping people understand, connect with each other better, and love each other more. It’s a very bustling afternoon tea. You will experience a variety of beverages, fruit juices, and bubble tea, as well as various types of food, both healthy and unhealthy food. It’s birthday parties that the host can’t escape with a birthday detective named Lu – thanks to you, the office becomes vibrant and exciting on these special days. Over 13 years, DrLocalize has gone through 4 offices, expanding and flourishing. Each place has its own special things and unforgettable memories, but all converge into one gentle yet meaningful keyword – Dr.Localize Happy Home built with materials of Fullness and Love. Now do you believe me? OUR OFFICE = OUR FULL HOUSE is indeed real! 😊
A Transformative Journey in Localization and Translation
A Transformative Journey in Localization and Translation The Internship Program at Dr.Localize has proven to be a transformative experience for participants, offering a rich and comprehensive understanding of the localization industry. Through individual and varied insights shared by students, a collective narrative emerges, underscoring the substantial evolution in perspectives and skill sets among the interns. Diverse testimonials from Yến Nhi, Thu Trang, Ngọc Ánh, Hải Ly, and Huyền Trang vividly portray the significant impact of the program on their understanding of localization and translation. Each student underscores the program’s effectiveness in exceeding initial expectations and providing a holistic view of the industry, encompassing both theoretical knowledge and practical applications. Huyen Trang said demurely, “I had a clearer view of translation, it’s not just about converting a language into another. And I learned so many helpful and useful things from the 1st month. For example, I knew how to use a tool in translating. I also had some thoughts that were different from the past.”. The feedback underscores the far-reaching influence of the program, elucidating the distinct elements that have reshaped their perceptions and enriched their skills. From the stringent requirements and processes revealed to Thu Trang to the practical applications and collaboration emphasized by Ngoc Anh, and the profound transformation in perspective experienced by Hai Ly, each intern’s journey unveils a unique aspect of their growth during their time at Dr.Localize. Together, these collective experiences paint a vivid portrait of a program that goes beyond imparting knowledge, fostering a profound evolution in understanding, skills, and perspectives. Their journey at Dr.Localize has equipped them not just with theoretical comprehension but also with practical tools crucial for navigating the complexities of localization. From foundational knowledge to practical applications, the program provided a holistic view of the localization industry, its processes, challenges, and emerging trends. Furthermore, the collaborative learning environment fostered interactions among interns and instructors, providing constructive feedback that facilitated improvement. The impactful transformation experienced by the students resonates through their newfound understanding of the localization and translation industry. Their enhanced communication, technical, and time management skills have equipped them for their future professional endeavors. The interns are gradually getting accustomed to the pace of the real working environment, and the translation content is also designed to incrementally increase in complexity. Although it has been challenging and at times surprising for them to realize their translation quality is not as high as they had thought, they haven’t been disheartened. The instructors have all appreciated their collaborative spirit and their diligent, resilient, and unafraid-of-difficulty approach to learning. The Internship Program has proven to be a transformative experience for these students, providing not just academic knowledge but also real-world insights, invaluable experiences, and a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities inherent in the localization industry. This program has undoubtedly set a high standard in preparing aspiring professionals for success in the localization and translation field. Previous Next
Dr. Localize – Where Love Rekindles
When thinking of love, we often think of romantic love and familial love, but at Dr. Localize, love goes beyond that. It’s the love for work, the close relationship among colleagues, and most importantly, self-love. Let’s read the following article by Anh Nguyen – an intriguing, sincere, and passionate lady. In 2016, on a cold day much like today, I embarked on a journey to find a new job. Back then, I was in my thirties, >with over 7 years of experience translating movies and shows, hardly knew anything about CAT tools (I remember looking it up when I saw it mentioned in job postings), and my knowledge of document translation was patchy at best. I was also struggling with the looming crisis of turning 30. I sat at the company for a test that was as challenging as a university entrance exam, together with another candidate. There were so many sections to complete, time constraints, invigilators all around, and the other candidate finished way ahead. Translating movies and shows is an art of its own. The context is always available to look at, with character tones to distinguish nuances, and subtext to understand the subtle layers in the films. The key to excelling in this field is mastering slang and idioms. The most skillful translators should master in shortening sentences because there’s always a character limit for subtiles to match the audience’s average reading speed. However, this tendency sometimes leads to wordings being clipped, words omitted, and meanings lost. Not to mention the desire to put spoken language into written text. Document translation might not be as vivid, but it offers a wide range of diversity and topic. My workdays in the first week as a newbie were relaxed since I onboarded in the year-end holiday season when clients were on vacation. The senior colleagues held training sessions to introduce some basics. But by the second week, it became overwhelming. At times, I found myself studying approximately 10 CAT tools simultaneously. Working at the company office until 8 PM became a norm. I don’t even recall how I managed that period. What I’m most grateful for is that everyone was always willing to help whenever I had a question. No matter how trivial or complex my questions were, my colleagues were always cheerful and ready to assist, even taking the time to provide hands-on assistance when needed. When I faced technical challenges, the CEO himself (OMG, I was shocked) would step in to resolve them. I later found out that our boss also played a role of an IT expert in the company. While our company’s elder staff are far beyond perfect, they excel not only in their expertise but also in their elegance and grace, caring for everyone’s well-being. The team at the company is incredibly endearing. My former teacher said that translation is a very demanding profession, and those who pursue it would subtract 10 years from their lifespan. But our company are different, they always seem younger than their ages (even though they have to combat reviewers and tight deadlines daily), I wonder how they’ve managed to maintain their youthfulness. I always felt lucky to be a part of the company, but during the years of Covid, I realized I was even luckier. While many people were struggling to earn for a living, my job remained stable and continued to grow. Despite the recent upheavals in the translation industry, with doubts arising about the future of the translation profession (like the emergence of Machine Translation and AI), I hope that in the years to come, I’ll still be part of the company, doing the work I love, and contributing my small brick to the bridge connecting different cultures. Happy translating!
“Expanding Perspective on the Localization Industry”
“On the first day, although it was just an introductory overview, it helped me broaden my understanding of the Localization industry and the professional processes of the company,” shared one intern about her experience on the first day of the internship. The “Inspiring Passion” internship program officially started its activities on October 2nd, 2023.“The students are like a new wave, full of youth, enthusiasm, and a passion for the profession,” said Michelle, the head of the Wisdom Training Service. “We are confident that this internship program will act as a bridge for the experienced localization team to pass on the enthusiasm to students and newcomers.” Each student in the training program has their own expectations and goals. Hai Ly candidly expressed, “When I applied for the internship program, I hoped to learn more about the translation industry, acquire translation skills, and experience the practical work environment.” Meanwhile, Huyen Trang came to the program to acquire more knowledge about translation, improve her weaknesses, and make the right career choice. “I love translation work, this is the career path that I want to pursue. Thanks to my relative’s advice, I’ve known that DrLocalize is a professional and reputable company in the localization industry, so I applied”, said Yen Nhi. In the first session, the participants were introduced to the most basic information about the localization industry, the translation profession, and the career path. In just a short time of the session, the program received positive feedback from the interns. They initially thought of localization companies as traditional translation firms. However, through this introductory session, students came to understand that localization operates at a more professional level with streamlined processes, modern tools, and clear industry standards. “On the first day, although it was just an introductory overview, it helped broaden my understanding of the Localization industry and the professional processes of the company,” said Nguyen Thu Trang. Yen Nhi shared, “Before joining, I thought the class would be very serious in a standard way, but it was completely the opposite. The atmosphere was very friendly and open, and the internship even had a warm-up session to help everyone get acquainted and understand each other better. The training content was full of new and interesting information, which impressed me the most, “ Mrs Camelia, Language Manager, shared joyfully, “For each individual in our training team, we all believe that our practical experiences in this industry can help students gain a better understanding of localization to choose a suitable job. We hope that students will learn and explore this profession with a passionate heart, enabling themselves to venture into an industry that offers many joys as well as challenges.” We will keep you posted on the latest news and images about the “Inspiring Passion” internship program in upcoming articles. Check out the news and events section on the website wisdom.drlocalize.com for more information about the program..
Excitement on the First Day of the Internship Program
Joyful and enthusiastic were the prominent characteristics in the atmosphere of the first training session of the Internship Program – “Inspiring Passion”. On October 2nd, 2023, the first training session of the “Inspiring Passion” Program took place with great enthusiasm. This internship program is scheduled to last for 2 months, from October 2nd to November 24th, 2023. This year, the interns are third and fourth-year students from various universities such as the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Foreign Trade University, Law University, Hanoi University, and Hanoi University of Science and Technology. They participate in the Internship program with a keen desire to learn and a youthful spirit. Welcoming and training these students in the program is a dedicated team of experienced professionals in the industry. The “Inspiring Passion” Program is considered the starting point for the courses within the Wisdom training service on localization organized by Dr.Localize Communication Bridge Company in the near future.
Internship Diary No.1
Hanoi, October 3rd, 2023 Before the second session, I wondered if I could enthusiastically deliver my lesson as a strong wave of drowsiness washed over me. I once believed this program was for us, the instructors, to inspire students, but the situation has shifted. This time, it was the students who infused me with positive energy. Throughout the 3-hour sharing session, my energy gradually recovered thanks to the diligent exploration attitude and the positive interaction spirit of students. That’s what every instructor desires most from their students. Moreover, we often feel drained by the end of a work day, but in this special class, my energy surged to its peak at that moment. Before concluding the lesson, I asked, “So, let’s wrap up today’s session. Does anyone have any questions?”. Nhi, the most logical girl when it comes to matters of the heart, promptly said, “Not yet, please don’t; I want to take a photo.” And so, all of us captured these truly adorable moments together.
FlexChallenge – 1300km – Celebrating 13th Birthday!
Autumn arrives, painting the world in the hues of love, just as Dr.Localize prepares to welcome its 13th birthday! In a person’s life, turning 13 means embarking on the journey of the teenage years, marked by significant physical and psychological changes. It’s a remarkable growth phase in body and soul, and Dr.Localize is no exception. We aspire to reach more substantial and meaningful goals, not only for Dr.Localize and its members but also to create and deliver greater values to the community. That’s why the triathlon competition comprising walking, running, and cycling, named #FlexChallenge# (Healthy, and Proud of It), was created. It aims to boost the spirit of physical training and enhance health because the ability to achieve all our shared goals comes with good health. Why is it 1300km? It’s a tribute to the 13 years of companionship at Dr.Localize. We believe that every step of each individual will foster our solidarity and spread the spirit of embracing challenges. Without each other’s support, none of us could reach the 1300km mark in a month. Therefore, #FlexChallenge is where no one has to ‘Flex’ alone, we will conquer challenges together and demonstrate Dr.Localize’s ‘work hard, play hard’ spirit. #FlexChallenge is not just ‘sport’, but also connection, facing challenges together, and transcending all boundaries Let’s all look forward to the championship team’s image below 🏆