One of a Kind

There are currently more than 30 international students in the institute’s graduate programs, from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, out of a total of more than 70 graduate students.

Françoise Massardier-Kenney, director of the Institute of Applied Linguistics at Kent State, is confident that the members of this institute are achieving their potential in the education field, educating students to spread knowledge around the world and generating new knowledge in translation studies.

“Students choose our institute because we are the most comprehensive program in the United States, with a core of internationally known translation studies researchers and with a 100 percent degree completion,” Massardier-Kenney said.

At the Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts level, these translation degree programs focus on translation research skills, specialized translation, computer-assisted terminology and translation, and project management for the language industry, while the Ph.D. program focuses on training students to do research in translation processes or any aspect of translation activities, including working abroad. There are currently more than 60 undergraduate and 70 graduate translation students in the institute.

“We focus on providing international students with the translation studies training that they need,” Massardier-Kenney said. “So that they can, in turn, go back to their country to teach and create translation programs which their country need.”

Kent State’s Institute of Applied Linguistics is also dedicated in assuring that all faculty members are very international student friendly, knowing the importance of international relations.  

“We understand how different cultures work and are able to facilitate international students' academic experiences,” Massardier-Kenney said.
 
In addition, the institute has a devoted body of alumni who are either international students or who are posted abroad.  They "spread the word” about the programs.

Localingua, an Ohio-based company that offers internships to the translation students, credits the institute as one of America’s leading providers of university-based translator training programs.  Officials with the company believe that the Institute of Applied Linguistics is responsible for producing many of the industry’s best professional s in the fields of computer assisted terminology and translation, software localization and project management.

A current project that the institute is working on is a series of Spanish/English medical glossaries for healthcare employees that can be downloaded straight to a cell phone or any other electronic device.

Future students could check the Bachelor’s requirements and apply at www.admissions.kent.edu.  

For additional information, visit the Institute of Applied Linguistics’ Web site at http://appling.kent.edu/.