Learning goes beyond rote memorisation; it emphasises the development of transferable skills and the internalisation of knowledge for real-world application in both personal and professional contexts; it helps us embrace the opportunities life presents and make the most of them. Learning also constitutes a lifelong journey, where a graduation certificate serves only as a milestone rather than an endpoint. I am very grateful for the enriching experiences I had as a postgraduate student at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, which has instilled in me an insatiable curiosity, a strong desire for knowledge, and an enduring spirit of exploration, all of which are essential for navigating the complexities of life and career.

The Master of Arts in Translation (Computer-Aided Translation) (MA-TCAT) Programme at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong is highly popular among students. The excellent combination of rich professional knowledge and modern AI technology allows the cultivation of skills and interests, and also broadens graduates' employment pathways. Whether in business, communications or education, graduates have bright career prospects. Translation professionals with specialised knowledge and language skills have significant advantages in international trade, cultural exchanges, foreign affairs, and other fields.

I've always had a passion for translation. I used to study IT and achieved a master's degree in The University of Sydney. After graduation, I worked as an overseas account manager. I came to realize that translation skills are quite essential in my daily business. Studying on the Master of Arts in Translation (Business and Legal) (MA-TBL) Programme at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong has given me the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge translation technologies and expand my translation skills set, which will be beneficial for my future profession and long-term studies. Additionally, learning at the School of Translation and Foreign Languages has inspired me to believe that everything is possible with enough effort.

I was definite about my decision to study business translation from the beginning. With an affection for language, I sought a field that would extend and expand my passion. The notion of going beyond the boundaries of language learning to see the business panorama excited me.

Translation is a distinct dimension of language study that demands meticulous attention to detail. For almost the entire first semester, I remained a stranger to the field of translation. I made a series of errors in assignments—errors that were sufficient to set an unprofessional tone in a formal text. Puzzled yet determined, I began to occupy myself in analysing whatever course materials provided to us, often with reference to the ingenious model answers prepared by my teachers.

Over time, I built a solid foundation. In the second half of my journey, I was entrusted with many written translation and simultaneous interpreting tasks that I was immensely thankful for, including translating the Chair's Letter in the Annual Report of a real estate company and interpreting at the Master Insight Forum. These experiences were also ancillary to handling translation and proofreading tasks while I was interning at a translation company specialising in financial texts.

With the flexibility of course combinations, I enrolled in business electives focusing on taxation and financial regulation and was later rewarded with a minor in Corporate and Commercial Law. For the translation electives, I sought to make my choices as diverse as possible, with topics ranging from finance and Sanskrit to subtitling and conference interpreting, as well as from arts industry to international affairs. The latter two subjects worked reciprocally in my mind, illustrating how 'past whispers, present echoes' manifest in major global events. This sparked my interest in pursuing a Master's degree in International Relations at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

As I look back, my decision has been well justified. I owe my heartfelt thanks to all my teachers, who generously provided scholarly help, advice, and encouragement with their erudition. All these are just a few frames from my seemingly bottomless archives of the illuminating four years that will never be outgrown as I venture forward.

When it comes to translation, Sharon Wong regards it not only as knowledge, but also a challenge. Driven by interest and enthusiasm, Sharon set up a translation and corporate communications agency together with fellow classmates after acquiring her Bachelor Degree in Translation with Business, hoping to excel in the translation profession.

Fond of languages and reading ever since she was a child, Sharon said, "I think that the beauty of translation lies in the cultural transformation process." She spared no efforts to acquire practical experience during her study at HSMC and recalled, "The School of Translation supports students by seeking part-time translation jobs for them. With such practical experience, we are already well equipped with the necessary skills as a translation specialist upon graduation."

To Sharon, overseas exchange programme and local internship opportunity are equally important and beneficial. During her days at HSMC, she had the opportunity to stay with the Beijing Foreign Studies University for a short-term interpretation course. She had also served as an Editorial Assistant for the Hong Kong Arts Festival. Such experiences helped enhance her translation skills and widen her horizons. What's more, she published a brand new departmental publication "Yik Shu" together with fellow classmates, taking up the whole process of conducting interviews, translation, production and promotion. Such valuable experience and co-operation were the cornerstones of future business partnership with her HSMC classmates.

At work, difficulties are certainly inevitable, say high expectations from clients, tight timeline, uncertainties in the translation industry and so on. All these would result in pressure and stress. Sharon, however, said, "At the start-up stage, I am fortunate to have the unfailing support of my business partners and family, thus allowing me to meet different challenges with ease. I hope that the business scope of Vane Communications can expand into new media such as digital marketing and Facebook promotion solutions. Last but not least, she shared her recipe for founding a new business, "It takes courage not to choose the easy way. Yet, being young gives you the luxury to try out what you really want. Be brave, be forceful. Don't be bound by social norms. Continue exploring and trying, and you will find your own path."

After graduating from the School of Translation in 2015, I started my career up in the air as a cabin crew member with Cathay Pacific. Unlike the ordinary office, mine may have views of harbours, of streets and of cities, but from over the clouds 40 thousand feet above ground. And I think this makes my career one of the most fascinating in the world.

I remember one of our professors saying translation is not just about rendering concepts and ideas in different languages, but traveling between cultures. I may not work in the translation industry but I have never left translation. Indeed many of the ideas about translation are still applicable to the life of a cabin crew member. Every day I come face to face with people from different parts of the world with different cultural backgrounds. And my job is all about people, about how to serve them, how to make them feel relaxed during the flight and how to take them to other places. Besides travelling between cultures, the essence of my job is also traveling with cultures. And I'm enjoying the life of traveling.

Without the journey in the School of Translation, I could never have enjoyed the job and flown this high in this way. The training in the School always emphasised understanding through not only language but also a critical mind, paying extra attention to detail. And that's the key to becoming an attentive person, helping people to become successful and feel confident in every role. I have never regretted and will never regret beginning my journey at HSMC.

The Master of Arts in Translation (Business and Legal) (MA-TBL) Programme offers both depth and breadth, with an advanced teaching approach that has enabled me to master the latest industry translation technologies through extensive practical training and the use of computer-assisted translation tools. The professors' dedicated guidance has transformed my learning experience, providing new perspectives and pathways for future development. The team spirit among classmates has also benefited me greatly. All of this has laid a solid foundation for my current pursuit of Juris Doctor at City University of Hong Kong. The high-quality education of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong continues to be my driving force.

Latetia, a graduate of Hang Seng Management College with a bachelor's degree in Translation with Business (Honours), now works as an Information Officer at the Information Services Department. In her days at HSMC, she received a scholarship for her placement on the Dean's List in her first school year. She was also the Welfare Secretary of the Student Association of Translation with Business from 2011 to 2012.

From her four years' training in translation and language in HSMC and work experience in a translation firm and a news agency, Latetia saw potential in herself in the fields of public relations and frontline operations.

She became a sales executive at an event management company specialising in mall decorations, annual dinners, opening ceremonies, exhibitions, marathons and so on. Latetia was responsible for giving presentations, communicating with clients, cooperating with designers and meeting the clients' expectations regarding the quality and details of the events. The direct exposure to the public relations field greatly improved Latetia's adaptability and honed her management skills, paving the way for her to become a civil servant in the area of news and journalism.

Having acquired valuable experience in the event and marketing field, she proceeded to work as an Information Officer at the Information Services Department. Her daily tasks involve media-related interaction of various natures, including monitoring both printed and online news, writing press releases as well as handling media enquiries and press conferences, hence helping to enhance the transparency of the government and facilitate the delivery of messages by departments and bureaus. Other than those tasks, Information Officers also launch campaigns and publications of the Department and handle local promotion of the Department through various channels, such as TV advertisements, posters, radio programmes and social media.

Being a college student has been one of the most memorable periods of my life. I am grateful that I joined the BTB family four years ago. Apart from acquiring translation and business knowledge from supportive professors, I had a chance to visit the UK through an exchange programme. This experience has tremendously enhanced my English proficiency and enabled me to discover cultural differences between the UK and Hong Kong, thus further sharpening my translation skills. I also participated in an internship to apply what I had learnt. All these experiences have paved the way for my future. However, I could never have gone through this journey alone. Everyone I met in the past few years, including my friends, professors and the ones who have offered me help, has spiced up my life in HSMC.

As a student in the Master of Arts in Translation (Computer-Aided Translation) (MA-TCAT) Programme at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, I find the programme practical, with in-depth insights into the application of AI in translation, along with extensive background knowledge in trade and economics. This greatly benefits my career development, allowing me to understand the practical use of translation technologies in business. I would recommend it to those looking to sharpen their skills in both the translation and trade sectors.