Overview
Opened in 1955 with classes in language and culture, the Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies was the first institute dedicated to the then-revolutionary concept that a living language should be taught as such: French in French, German in German, etc. Full-year degree programs began in 1961. By 1979, the Institute had grown to international distinction and was renamed the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

Each year, more than 100 employers contact GSTI to find candidates for translation and interpretation jobs and internships. International and U.S. employers are in business, educational, government, nonprofit, and translation and interpretation agency sectors. ILast year, more than sixty-five GSTI employers recruited on campus. Examples of employers with significant GSTI hiring include Berlitz, the European Union, Honda, J. D. Edwards, Language Line Services LLC, Lionbridge Technologies, Microsoft, TechTrans, the U.S. Department of State, and the United Nations. More than 30 percent of GSTI alumni are freelance contractors.

The Community
The Monterey Institute is situated in one of the most spectacular natural environments in the world. The Monterey Peninsula is 130 miles south of San Francisco on California's central coast, surrounded by ocean and mountains. It has a population of 100,000. The area combines a variety of rich cultural resources and agricultural activities.

Enrollment is approximately 700. About half of the students are from more than fifty countries outside the U.S. More than 90 percent of the American students have worked or studied abroad. More than fifty languages are spoken by students on campus. Language classes are offered in English, Spanish, French, Russian, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), German, and Korean.

Programs of study and degree requirements
The Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation (GSTI) offers Master of Arts degrees in three professional fields, translation and interpretation (M.A.T.I.), conference interpretation (M.A.C.I.), and translation (M.A.T.), each designed to be four-semester, 60-credit programs. Students must demonstrate fluency in English and one or more of the following languages: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, or Spanish. Requirements for the advanced-entry, one-year Master of Arts degree programs are significant work experience or a degree in translation and interpretation. Nondegree certificates are offered in court or medical interpreting (Spanish only) and in the teaching of translation and interpretation.

The M.A.T. and M.A.C.I. can be earned with two or three languages; the M.A.T.I. can be earned with two. In the first semester, students take the same required courses: Basic Translation and Introduction to Interpretation. They then specialize. The M.A.T.I. program is a balanced mix of translation and interpretation courses; the M.A.T. program concentrates on written, sight, and computer-assisted translation; the M.A.C.I. program focuses on simultaneous and consecutive interpretation.

Monterey-model interdisciplinary, multilingual courses with the Institute's other graduate schools provide unique opportunities for interpreters-in-training, as do project management, software localization, and terminology courses for translators. The GSTI is a member of the Conférence Internationale Permanente d'Instituts Universitaires de Traducteurs et Interprètes and participates in exchanges with interpreting schools worldwide. Students may opt for a year of overseas study to consolidate their languages. GSTI's faculty members—experienced translators, interpreters, and educators—are dedicated to excellence and outstanding performance as both professors and working professionals. They are committed to helping students develop the analytical skills, cultural literacy, conduct, competence, and professional integrity needed to become superior professionals.

Facilities & Resources
State-of-the-art multimedia and interpreting labs simulate professional environments. Interpretation students have access to three facilities that are equipped for simultaneous interpretation: a conference room with eight booths that conform to ISO specifications and two labs with twelve booths each. The Irvine Auditorium, site of international conferences, multilingual courses, and guest presentations, has four simultaneous interpreting booths and a seating capacity of 275.

Brahler and Gentner portable interpreting equipment transforms any classroom into a multilingual seminar, giving students further opportunities to provide and practice interpretation for Institute classes and events. To keep pace with the dynamic localization industry, GSTI teaches computer-assisted translation and develops partnerships with high-technology firms. GSTI students also work in a multimedia, computer-assisted translation and interpretation laboratory where video is distributed from cable, satellite broadcasts, or the Internet, and localized versions of software and translation tools are available. A unique speech bank makes speeches in all GSTI languages available for student practice via the Internet.

In addition to numerous computer labs, the campus is fully networked utilizing 802.11 wireless standards. Every student is encouraged, for flexibility, to have a personal laptop computer adapted for wireless connectivity.

Expenses and Aid
Tuition is $29,300. The cost of the student activity fee, books, and supplies is estimated to be $850.

Financial Aid: Candidates with a minimum grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) are invited to compete for scholarships worth up to $10,000 per year. Scholarships are renewable for a second year depending upon the recipient's program and academic performance.

Many faculty members employ research assistants, and numerous part-time jobs are available on campus. Some of these opportunities are awarded with scholarships and others are available when students enroll.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply for need-based financial aid programs, including low-interest loans.

Housing/Living Expenses: Housing and living expenses for the academic year are estimated to be $11,500.

How to Apply/Application
Applicants to the master's programs in the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation must have a U.S. bachelor's degree or the equivalent. Application may be made at any time, provided it is received at least one month prior to the applicant's proposed semester of enrollment or three months in advance for international students residing in their home countries.

Students should visit the Web site listed below for complete information on admission requirements and the deadlines for scholarship and financial aid.

International Students
International applicants should apply at least 5 months prior to the proposed enrollment due to the extra time required for correspondence and consulate processing times for visa applications. When sending your documents, we suggest you use airmail to prevent time delays.

Once you have been admitted to the Monterey Institute and your finances have been secured for your first year of study, we will send you a SEVIS I-20 form to apply for an F-1 Student Visa, or DS-2019 form to apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa. If you are already in the United States on a different type of visa, you may be required to apply for a change of status.

In addition to the orientation required for all new students prior to the first semester of enrollment, international students are required to attend a mandatory orientation. This provides practical information on immigration requirements, US academic policies, and general adjustment to life in the United States. There are also cross-cultural, optional practical training, and curricular practical training workshops for international students during the academic year.

Faculty Directory
GSTI students are coached by a faculty of experienced translators and interpreters dedicated to excellence and outstanding performance both as professors and working professionals. Professors and students work closely together to achieve educational goals and professional standards in a supportive, collegial atmosphere. The small size of the program ensures that each student will work with professors to develop the analytical skills, cultural literacy, competence and conduct needed to become superior translators and interpreters.

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