<p><span class="p-body">For language enthusiasts and communications professionals, the <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-translation.html" target="_blank">MS in Translation and Interpreting</a> program at NYU SPS offers a flexible format where students can gain the skills they need to take the next step in their careers. Francesca Dell'Acqua is a current student whose venture into the world of translation and interpreting was inspired by a deep love for languages, an adventurous spirit, and a desire to connect cultures.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">We couldn't wait to catch up with Dell'Acqua to hear about her background and impression of the program so far.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Born in the United States but raised in the picturesque town of Vevey, Switzerland, Dell'Acqua was brought up in an Italian household that instilled in her a love for her heritage and a fascination with languages. Today, she finds herself in Jersey City, New Jersey, where she balances her professional life and studies in the MS in Translation and Interpreting program at NYU SPS, which is fully online.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Dell'Acqua's background has significantly shaped her interests. Growing up in a multilingual environment, she developed a passion for French literature and an affinity for storytelling through languages. Her hobbies include reading French novels, scrapbooking her travels, playing the acoustic guitar, and even riding her motorcycle.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">When Dell'Acqua was looking for a master's program to build on her foundation in international relations and romance languages, NYU's Translation and Interpreting program stood out to her. She was drawn to NYU not only because of its world-renowned reputation but also because of the program's structure, which encourages exploration across various fields of translation. &quot;Attending NYU meant I was guaranteed quality education from the best in the translation and interpreting industry,&quot; Dell'Acqua shares.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Her experience as a student at NYU has been both challenging and rewarding. Balancing a full-time job while pursuing her degree required Dell'Acqua to master time management quickly, but the program's online format provided her with the flexibility she needed. &quot;Working and studying at the same time is far from easy,&quot; she acknowledges, &quot;but I felt a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment at the end of each semester.&quot; She credits the supportive NYU faculty and her fellow students for helping her thrive, stating that &quot;Infinite claps go out to all students attending grad school, especially the working ones.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Dell'Acqua has gained hands-on experience through several of her courses, one of which was the <i>Transcreation and Marketing Translation</i> course. In this class, she undertook a final project that required her to transcreate an advertisement for a brand in her source language, as well as create a comprehensive transcreation brief. Reflecting on this project, she says, &quot;It taught me the importance of performing both market research and brand research to better understand target market preferences and the brand's history and core values.&quot; She also emphasizes the value of continuously problem-solving creatively to produce content that is engaging and culturally appropriate for the target audience.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">While she came into the program with limited professional experience in translation and interpreting, Dell'Acqua believes that NYU SPS has equipped her with the essential tools to thrive in the field. &quot;My time at NYU SPS prepared me with the toolkit and best practices to confidently approach translation and linguistic tasks,&quot; she notes. She appreciates the program's emphasis on practical skills, especially its focus on new translation technologies and AI, which have become crucial in today's rapidly evolving linguistic landscape. &quot;In the professional realm, it's important to adapt to what's new (even if they appear as a threat to job security) so you can stay ahead of the curve in your industry,&quot; she explains.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Looking ahead, Dell'Acqua is excited about the future. She hopes to start her career in localization, particularly within the tourism and hospitality industry, where she can combine her love for languages with her passion for travel and cultural exchange.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">For advice and inspiration, Dell'Acqua turns to both her professors at NYU and the localization specialists she meets at industry conferences like the annual Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) conference. She speaks highly of her professors in the MSTI program, saying, &quot;Outside of assignments, I had the opportunity to discuss with professors about the translation industry today and what my 'next steps' will look like post-graduation.&quot;</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Francesca continues to navigate her way through the translation and interpreting world, driven by her curiosity and a commitment to bridging cultural gaps through language. Take your place at the center of this industry when you pursue an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-translation.html" target="_blank">MS in Translation and Interpretation</a> at NYU SPS.</span></p>