co>lab interpreting intensive

When is co>lab?
We generally hold a week-long summer session every August and on special occasions, a January session. Check the co>lab homepage for upcoming sessions.

Where is co>lab held?
Our regular session is held in the Glendon College MCI Lab in Toronto. Sometimes we are invited to throw down in other parts of the world, and we love making that happen too.

Who is co>lab for?
Professional conference interpreters the world over, both newly graduated, life-long professionals and everything in between. Given that Colab is a peer practice intensive rather than an instructional course, Colab requires either a degree in Conference Interpreting or at least 50 conference working days.

The course is run in English, but any language combination is welcome, so long as there is at least two other participants with your language to provide feedback and act as a pivot if necessary.

How much does co>lab cost?
The current co>lab fee is CAD$610 / USD$480. Paying your fee confirms your spot. This below market fee is possible because nice people such as the Glendon MCI  and CM Idiomas generously lend us their staff, time and equipment. Your organizers, too, work mostly for love. And, finally, because you pitch in with your time and effort: each participant is required to prepare a 20-minute presentation in their A-language to be interpreted simultaneously by the other participants.

Your payment covers your own costs (coffee break fuel, co>lab celebration lunch, incidentals, course materials, badges, etc.), administrative fees, and your organizers’ travel expenses.

Participants arrange for their own accommodations, meals, and travel according to what works best for you. But we’ve put together a bit of guidance to get you started in Mexico or Toronto. For Toronto sessions, a low-cost, no frills option on campus is sometimes available to a limited number of participants upon request.

What is the co>lab cancellation policy?
If a refund is requested and there is another qualified participant available to fill your spot, we are happy to refund your fee up to a month before the course. After the one month mark, the fee is non-refundable.

Can I earn Professional Development/Continuing Education Units from participating in Colab?
The Ontario Council on Community Interpreting (OCCI) has approved co>lab in the past (yahoo!) and for the upcoming session for 10 Professional Development Units. This means it is very likely to continue to be approved for future sessions. For other organizations such as IMIA or CCHI, we encourage you to inquire directly and we will be happy to provide any supporting material.