<p><span class="p-body">Roslynn Gaitero grew up in Potomac, MD, but has had the opportunity to live in Puerto Rico, Florida, and most recently, New York City. She is passionate about learning new languages and immersing herself in different cultures. She is fluent in both English and Spanish, but has also studied Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Korean, Italian, and Amharic.</span></p>
A Natural Fit and Next Step
<p><span class="p-body">And that love for languages led her to consider the Translation & Interpretation program offered at the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/center-for-publishing-writing-and-media.html" title="Center for Publishing and Applied Liberal Arts">Center for Publishing and Applied Liberal Arts</a>. "The program felt like a natural extension of my work as a world language teacher," she recalled. "As a Spanish teacher, I've been able to apply the skills I gained at NYU to translate children's stories from Latin America and Spain, expanding my students' horizons and global reach." Additionally, Gaitero has actively engaged with the local school community, offering interpretation services to help bridge language barriers and promote cross-cultural understanding.<br>
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<p><span class="p-body">Gaitero describes her experience as a student at NYU SPS as "truly enlightening," as it provided her the invaluable opportunity to hone and strengthen her skills in translation and interpretation, while also exposing her to diverse perspectives. "The program helped shape my approach as an educator and deepened my passion for cross-cultural communication," she reveals.</span></p>
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Fond Memories of Faculty and Research
<p>"All the professors and advisors were phenomenal, but Dr. Roxana Dinu stands out as particularly impactful," continues Gaitero. "She emphasized the importance of understanding and integrating more inclusive and gender-neutral language into our work. This required deep reflection and encouraged us to think outside the box, pushing us to be more mindful and forward-thinking in our approach to translation and interpretation."</p>
<p>Her capstone project centered around translating Spanish children's texts, providing valuable hands-on experience. "It was an opportunity to put my skills into practice in a real-world setting, requiring me to analyze dialectal variances, nuances, and cultural contexts to ensure the integrity of each story," she intimates. "This experience deepened my understanding of how translation can bridge cultural gaps and enriched my approach as a language educator, while also promoting the essence and cultural significance of the stories."</p>
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Building on a Foundation in a Career
<p>These days, Gaitero continues to work in education, focusing on bridging the gap by introducing underrepresented Afro-Latino authors to students in her local NYC school community. Her time at NYU SPS equipped her with the skills to not only engage in effective translation and interpretation, but also advocate for cultural diversity in literature. This foundation has allowed her to promote inclusivity in the curriculum, ensuring that students are exposed to a broader range of voices and perspectives.</p>
<p>"As I proceed in my career, I aim to collaborate with more Afro-Latino authors, ensuring their works are regularly included in our curriculum, particularly in my current school community," shares Gaitero. "My goal is to broaden the scope of world language and literature classes, enriching students' understanding of diverse cultures and narratives. By doing so, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive and representative curriculum that celebrates the voices and experiences of our global Afro-Latino communities."</p>
Words of Wisdom and Advice for New Students
<p><span class="p-body">One thing Gaitero wishes people knew about translation and interpreting as a career is just how broad the spectrum of opportunities can be. After all, it goes far beyond just language conversion—it involves bridging cultural gaps, understanding dialectal nuances, and adapting content for diverse audiences. "The field offers opportunities in various industries like education, healthcare, law, and media, making it a dynamic and impactful profession," muses Gaitero.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Gaitero's advice for incoming MSTI students is to set clear goals, take their time, and always strive to do their best. "Approach every challenge with a growth mindset, viewing each obstacle as a chance to learn and improve," she urges. "The program offers so many opportunities for development, and being patient with yourself while fully engaging with the material will help you maximize your experience. Embrace each experience as a chance to grow, knowing that the skills you cultivate will have a lasting impact on both your career and personal growth."</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Be the bridge between cultures when you pursue an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-translation.html" title="MS in Translation & Interpreting">MS in Translation & Interpreting</a> from the Center for Publishing, Writing, and Media at NYU SPS</span></p>
The program offers so many opportunities for development, and being patient with yourself while fully engaging with the material will help you maximize your experience. Embrace each experience as a chance to grow, knowing that the skills you cultivate will have a lasting impact on both your career and personal growth."