5 minutes with Sarah Malaeb

1. What did you study at RMIT and what attracted you to that program?

I studied Master of Translating & Interpreting. Having just started a family, this program gave me a life-study-work balance. It gave me the choice and flexibility to pursue the career direction I wanted to follow, without compromising on my family life and duties.

2. What is your business all about?

Besides delivering exceptional linguistic services to clients, my translation business has allowed me to meet people from all walks of life.  With Arabic being the official language of 25 countries, it is such a rich and diverse language it has allowed me to expand my knowledge of cultural-based languages and bridge cultural differences.

3. Where do you see your business in 10 years’ time?

10 years is a very long timeframe, I take it one day at a time but I'm constantly seeking growth and new opportunities, and I know for a fact I will still be translating 10 years from now whether it be as a sole translator or having a team, only time will tell.

4. How has studying at RMIT prepared you to run your business?

RMIT gave me the fundamentals of not just learning to convert meaning from one language to another but also the skills needed to implement and run my own business such as time and workload management, customer service skills, organisation skills and how to start up a business.

5. What advice would you have offered yourself when you first started your business?

Patience is key, success takes time, and not every setback is bad, but it was meant to lead to something bigger and better.

6. What’s your favourite Arabic word that doesn't have an English equivalent?  

Tuqburni (Tooq.bur.ny)

Literally: Bury me.

Metaphorically: May you outlive me.

This term is said to someone you love deeply and can't imagine life without, like when a mother says it to her child, it’s a beautiful expression of great love.