Beginnings at TIMEP

Shortly before leaving home to begin my internship in DC, I was out to dinner with a close family friend and launched into my hopes for the summer and the intricacies of its role in my rather obsessive four-year plan. About half way through, she laughed and said, “does any of it really matter when you’ll only be getting coffee?” I was taken aback. What if I was doomed to run errands all summer? I tried to forget this worry as I nervously began my orientation just two short weeks ago, and realized almost instantly just how unfounded it really was. My introduction to the Tahrir Institute was a whirlwind, as the Research Director, Allison, threw names, projects, and obscure policy details at me, before introducing me to a room of extremely nice but incredibly intimidating coworkers. I stumbled out of the office that day rather dazed by the deluge of information, but feeling optimistic. It seemed clear at this point that I would be doing much more than making coffee, and I, in all my over-confidence, believed I could easily handle whatever Tahrir could throw at me.
Boy, was I wrong. As soon as I arrived on Tuesday, one of the senior research associates approached my desk and asked, “you’re comfortable translating right?” My poor, second year Arabic brain short-circuited as I nodded yes, unsure how to tell him that I was wildly unprepared for such a task. I bumbled through dozens of statements and decrees from the Libyan Government of National Accord, leaning heavily upon my good friend Google Translate and another kindly intern beside me. For the first time in a while I was feeling truly unprepared and scared that I was doomed to disappoint. Walking home that evening, I called my mother to express these doubts. I listened hesitantly as she reassured me that translation is always difficult, and with just a bit of practice, I would feel myself slipping into a rhythm.

Over the course of that week, I did in fact begin to feel myself settling in and relaxing, though I was still left drained after hours spent puzzling over ministry appointments and security announcements, I had found a community within the office. For the first time ever, I was surrounded by people who loved exactly what I loved, flowed seamlessly between English and Arabic, and trafficked almost exclusively in Middle Eastern themed memes. When I had translation questions, the whole office would weigh in on whether ‘Sub Commander’ or ‘Assistant Commander’ was appropriate, and I felt embraced as a real member of the team.
Now, I have thankfully moved on from the Libyan translation and have begun work on a very exciting project on Syrian women. I spend each day researching women’s access to education in Syria and as refugees, reading publications in English and Arabic, thanks to my newfound translation confidence. Moving into next week I’ll be drafting the policy brief with all my research, and of course I am nervous, but rather than drowning, I am feeling pushed in all the right ways.
Written by Isabelle Carpenter’20, FSI Global Policy Intern at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy.
