Deadline:
February 09, 2025
Program Starts: August 19, 2025
Program Ends: December 05, 2025
Location(s)
Chile China Egypt France Greece Iceland India Italy Japan Malta Panama Peru Portugal Singapore Spain Tunisia United Kingdom United States of America
Various ports
Overview
Do you dream of broadening your horizons by polishing your language skills while traveling around the world? This volunteer opportunity may be the perfect alternative to studying abroad, global internships, or interpreting practical training!
We are now accepting applications for volunteer interpreters to join Voyage 121.
Details
As an international NGO that organizes most of its activities on a chartered passenger ship, every day Peace Boat hosts numerous events onboard. As part of this, Peace Boat hosts many projects and invites a diverse range of guest educators from around the world to join a voyage. Primarily, Peace Boat volunteer interpreters are in charge of simultaneous and consecutive interpreting onboard and at ports during our global voyages. Through interpreting, volunteer interpreters will have the chance to be involved in a wide range of events and learn about global issues.
Some of the responsibilities of a volunteer interpreter are as follows:
- Consecutive and/or simultaneous interpreting of daily lectures, meetings, forums, and informal gatherings for guest educators
- Interpreting and assisting tours in ports of call
- Assisting communication between Japanese-speaking and non-Japanese speaking participants
- Translating and making handouts for lectures, etc.
- Assisting with onboard language programs
- Planning and leading self-organized events, workshops or classes based on your interest
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Eligibility
For more detailed voyage-specific requirements, please check the ‘Application Guidelines’ which can be found at the bottom of this page.
We seek candidates in the following language combinations:
- English-Japanese
- English-Korean
- English-Mandarin Chinese
- Japanese-Korean
- Japanese-Mandarin Chinese
- or Spanish plus any of the above mentioned combinations
Successful applicants must...
- Be fluent in two or more of the interpreting languages we require for the upcoming voyage
- Be available for the duration of the voyage for which they are applying (including a pre-voyage training and orientation period)
- Be at least 18 years of age. However, high school students are not eligible
- Have a strong interest in and background knowledge in the following topics: the Global South issues, regional conflicts, poverty, racism and other forms of discrimination, indigenous peoples, diversity, civil society, sustainable development and international bodies, the environment, nuclear and other energy issues
- Be able to commit and prioritize their time to apply for necessary visas prior to departure
- Agree with the aim and activism of the NGO Peace Boat and have the motivation to participate in activities with a volunteer spirit
Applicants with the following will be looked upon favorably:
- Proficiency in other languages, especially languages used in the countries visited (French, Arabic, etc.) on the voyage
- Prior interpreting experience or training
- While test scores are not required, the minimum language levels of previously successful applicants are as below:
- Japanese: JLPT Level 1
- English: TOEFL (PBT/ITP) 600, (CBT) 250, (iBT) 100 or above; TOEIC 900 or above
- Spanish: DELE B2 or above; Evaluación Oficial del Conocimiento de la Lengua Española Level 2 or above
- Korean: TOPIK6 or above
- Chinese: HSK6
Dates
Deadline: February 09, 2025
Program starts:
August 19, 2025
Program ends:
December 05, 2025
Program Starts: August 19, 2025
Program Ends: December 05, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Volunteer Conditions
As this is a volunteer position, no salary is offered. However, room and board, visa fees (exceptions apply), and the cost of any programmes in ports that you are asked to attend as an interpreter will be covered by Peace Boat (plus port charges and tips). Transport to the port of embarkation at the start of the voyage, and from the port of disembarkation at the end of the voyage, as well as personal expenditures such as onboard charges (drinks, laundry fees, etc.), are your own responsibility.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
