Since graduating with a BA and an MA in English Translation and Interpreting in 2013, I have spent the past two years working as a freelance translator (Finnish, Swedish and English). I am originally from Finland, but after trying out the French Alps, Paris and London during my studies, I finally made a permanent move to the lovely Edinburgh in the summer of 2013. I am still working on finding out what I really want to specialise in, but at the moment I mainly work in the fields of business, tourism, education and public administration.

Since joining the ITI and the Scottish Network in 2014, I have taken every opportunity to meet colleagues and learn more about the translation industry. My fellow Scotnetters have been incredibly welcoming right from the start, and after taking part in several local events, as well as venturing into Manchester and Derby for events organised there, I feel very excited about moving on to the next level and attending my first ever conference. It will be incredibly difficult to choose from all the amazing presentations that are on offer, and I’m very unfortunate in missing out on the last day of the conference, but I will definitely make the most of Thursday and Friday’s offerings! I’m also very excited about finally having the chance to meet lots of people who so far have only been online acquaintances.

Despite living fairly close, I have yet to make it to Newcastle - so far I have only seen glimpses of it from train windows. I have heard a lot of good things about the city and its people, though, so I am very much looking forward to exploring this new corner of my new home country.