What is a Communication Coordinator (CC)? from Peace Boat on Vimeo.

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 120.

Application deadline: October 6, 2024. Interpretation tests and interviews will be conducted between October and December.

We seek candidates in the following language combinations: English-Japanese; Japanese-English; English-Korean; English-Mandarin Chinese; Japanese-Korean; and Japanese-Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish plush any of the above mentioned combinations.

 

What's Involved

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

[video] Peace Boat Volunteer Interpreter Info Session - Part.1 (Sep 2023)  - About Peace Boat

[video] Peace Boat Volunteer Interpreter Info Session - Part.2 (Sep 2023) - About Volunteer Interpreter


Eligibility

For more detailed voyage-specific requirements, please check the ‘Application Guidelines’ which can be found at the top of the page.

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

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.

How to Apply

To apply for an upcoming voyage, please read the voyage-specific ‘Application Guidelines’ and fill out and submit the Application Form to receive further instructions.

To apply, applicants are required to submit the following materials:

1) Resume/CV in all languages for which you are applying
2) A one-page essay stating why you wish to join Peace Boat as a volunteer interpreter in all languages for which you are applying. The content should be the same in each language.

Please submit your completed application documents as instructed in the automated reply message that you receive after submitting the Application Form.

Application Process

Stage 1 - Screening of Application Materials

Applicants who submit their completed application packet by the application deadline should receive an email confirming receipt and announcing the result of the first step within about 2 weeks after the application deadline. If you do not receive an email within 3 weeks, please send a follow-up email to confirm your application has been received.  

Stage 2 - Interpreting Test

Applicants who successfully pass the first stage of the selection process will be invited to a consecutive interpreting test via Zoom call.

Stage 3 - Interviews

Applicants who successfully pass the second stage of the selection process will be invited to two sets of interviews via Zoom call.

 

For snapshots of life onboard and the role of the CCs, please watch: 

Being a Volunteer Interpreter Onboard - Japanese and Chinese Subtitles from Peace Boat on Vimeo.