Michelle Rebay ’22 grew up in a community of Spanish speakers in Long Island. “I always feel completely at home when I’m in Spanish-speaking communities,” says Rebay, who double majored in international criminal justice and Spanish. After she dropped out of John Jay for personal reasons, it was her passion for Spanish that brought her back.
Healing Through Language
Rebay traveled to Costa Rica, where she took a course in English. When she re-enrolled at John Jay, she signed up for its Spanish translating and interpreting certificate program as well as Spanish courses. “When I started taking Spanish classes, everything clicked for me,” Rebay says. “By pairing ICJ and Spanish, I was putting together my two passions—justice issues and the language I grew up speaking. It was the perfect marriage for me.”
“Whenever I tell someone in the job market I'm bilingual, they get excited.” —Michelle Rebay ’22
Applying Her Translation Skills
Growing up Rebay often translated for her family, her friend’s parents, and others in her neighborhood. “Translating is something I had done my whole life, but I never had any formal education in translation or Spanish. After coming back to John Jay and working toward my translation certificate, I realized that there was no better way to give back to my community than professionally translating,” she says. “I want Spanish speakers to feel included, seen, and heard.”
As Rebay developed her skills, Assistant Professor Cristina Lozano Argüelles, Ph.D., asked her to provide simultaneous interpretation during an NGO CSW panel discussion that took place in conjunction with the United Nations High Commission on the Status of Women. “I was really nervous going into it—UN ambassadors were there—but Professor Lozano told me to remember how long I’d been speaking Spanish, how much I loved interpreting, and how passionate I was for women’s rights. I knew that I had to deliver really important information to the best of my abilities; and I had to be mindful of the communities that would be listening. Thankfully, after the event I got really good feedback. It was very gratifying for me.”
Looking Toward the Future
Rebay landed a summer internship with The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and hopes to use her translation skills with refugees. “I have always wanted to work with refugees and I’m excited about helping them,” she says. “It’s a multifaceted role. I’ll be helping the refugees get settled into New York and participate in some interpreting and translating for the organization. In the future, I’m leaning toward going into cyber intelligence, but of course incorporating speaking Spanish. Whenever I tell someone in the job market that I’m bilingual, they get excited. Incorporating my Spanish and interpreting skills into my major was a definite boost for my career prospects.”
