Monterey Institute of International Studies

A network of microphilanthropy that supports MIIS students.

2012 Olympic Interpreters

MontereySTART funding will offset costs associated with our summer internship as volunteer interpreters at the Olympic Games in London.

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Funding Details

Deadline: Aug 15, 2012
Total needed: $1,000

People

Charmy Park (left)

Max Falaleyev (middle)

Lauren Ames (right)

Media

About Us

We are students in Conference Interpretation at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and have been awarded unpaid internships to interpret at the Olympics in London this July and are raising funds to offset travel and lodging costs.

The Opportunity

We have been given the opportunity of a lifetime.  We were chosen to represent the Monterey Institute at the 2012 Olympic Games in London as volunteer interpreters. We are extremely excited about the prospect of getting real-life interpreting experience at the Olympics and are proud to represent the Monterey Institute.

Our Request

We have created this page in the hopes of asking for your support.  As a volunteer for the Games, we are responsible for the cost of airfare, room and board, and any other expenses incurred during our appointment in London.  While we will do everything in our power to minimize these expenses, we are looking to your generosity to help in any way you can that could help get us to and from London, give us a roof over our heads and maybe food to eat while we are there.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Live from the 2012 Summer Olympics

Follow live updates from our Olympic interpreters here:

Charmy Park, Olympic Interpreter, Wembley Arena

August 3, 2012: I’m working at the Wembley Arena for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics. So far, I have had the chance to interpret for the OBS (Olympic Broadcasting Services) when interviewing the Korean badminton team after the winning matches and also for the flash quotes in the mixed zone. The highlights of my experience include: attending the dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony (watching the spectacle before the rest of the world!), seeing Princess Anne just steps away from me, and meeting star badminton players from Korea, in person!. -Charmy Park
Max Falaleyev, Olympic Interpreter, London 2012 Basketball Court

August 1, 2012: Today I interpreted for the third time here. I started in the Mixed Zone where journalists get “flash quotes” from players, providing around twelve or fifteen quotes, and then went to the press center and interpreted the end of a question and response session with the Russian women’s basketball coach. The quotes were all given to the Games’ official press service. Besides interpreting, in the last few days I have also been excited to come within five feet of at least seven heads of state from countries around the world and numerous other important figures. The most exciting for me was getting to see our First Lady as she passed me in the hall. -Max Falaleyev
London 2012 Olympics Basketball Court

Photo by John Smith

July 29, 2012: Yesterday was my first day working, and I saw two of the three games that happened during my shift. Today I start right after the U.S. men’s team plays and get to see the Russia game and maybe interpret. I also got on camera yesterday briefly at the very beginning of the Great Britain vs. Australia game when the women ran out onto the court. -Max Falaleyev
Interpreter Lauren Ames at 2012 Olympics Dress Rehearsal

July 27, 2012: I’m interpreting between Spanish and English at Horse Guards Parade for the Beach Volleyball Competition. My first shift starts at 7:00am tomorrow morning. I am so excited! -Lauren Ames (left, at dress rehearsal)
Max Falaleyev, Olympic Interpreter

July 18, 2012: How do you prepare to interpret between Russian and English at the Olympics in London? You start by reading over 1,000 pages of game rules for basketball and handball. -Max Falaleyev

2 Responses to “2012 Olympic Interpreters”

  1. Patricia Isaacs says:
    June 12, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    Max, Is this tax deductable?

    Reply
  2. Rebecca Walters says:
    July 19, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    Hi Patricia,
    All contributions to MontereySTART projects are tax deductible.

    Thanks,

    Rebecca
    MontereySTART Staff Advisor

    Reply

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