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About us
Preklad do angličtiny: Denisa Chlivenyiová
Sa zobuď! is a student-led civic association dedicated to building a community of translation and interpreting (T&I) students across Slovakia. We connect students from universities offering T&I programs—including Comenius University in Bratislava, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, and the University of Prešov—fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth.
Our mission is to bridge the gap between theory and practice, enhance students’ social engagement, and introduce modern insights into the teaching of translation and interpreting. We pursue this vision through:
- Sa zobuď! (Wake Up!)—a student-led podcast offering fresh, exciting insights into the T&I field. Presented in a relatable, student-friendly format, the podcast has even been integrated into lectures, making learning more dynamic.
- Z lavíc do praxe (From the Classroom to Practice)—a discussion series where students share how they successfully transitioned from academic studies to professional practice. These live-streamed sessions not only inspire but also give students the opportunity to practice remote simultaneous interpreting, gaining invaluable hands-on experience.
- Knižný swap (The Book Swap)—a networking event that fosters new connections and friendships across universities through the joy of sharing books.
- Zimná škola prekladu (The Winter Translation School)—a flagship event that celebrates a year of hard work and showcases the initiatives developed along the way. This event seamlessly connects theory with practice, highlights advancements in translation technology and research, and builds a thriving community of students and professionals.
- Translation practice for T&I students. Are you ready to take the next step and put your skills to use in real translation and interpreting settings? Apply here: https://www.sazobud.sk/prax/
HISTORY OF SA ZOBUĎ!
The story of the civic association Sa zobuď! began with a simple yet powerful vision: to create a space that offers everything—lectures, discussions, workshops, and opportunities for fun and networking.
Although this idea was shaped by many, it started with me, Patrícia Hatiarová. While enrolled in a year-long educational program at the Socratic Institute, I was tasked with bringing an idea to life. While I didn’t have a fully formed plan, I knew I wanted to empower and connect students. The spark came from a personal experience: I was in a class with a student from Spain who had joined through the Erasmus+ program. After class, she apologized to the professor for being the only one to answer his questions. That moment stuck with me—this isn’t how it should be. We needed a space where every student felt encouraged to speak up and get involved.
At that point, my classmate Ivana Božiková joined the project. As we brainstormed potential activities with our teachers, the idea of reviving the tradition of the Summer Translation School emerged. Slowly, we formed a team of passionate individuals. For me, this was a turning point—it showed that the situation among Slovak students wasn’t as bleak as it had seemed in that class with the Erasmus student.
Our objectives were clear from the start: bring together T&I students, motivate and involve them in organizing events, and ease everyone’s transition from the classroom to professional practice. Over several months, a passionate group of organizers met regularly, and their hard work culminated in a three-day event featuring more than 30 experts who generously shared their knowledge and expertise with students. The event included four workshops (each focused on a different aspect of translation and interpreting), two networking sessions, a Saturday night party, and a weekend brimming with opportunities to build lasting friendships and future collaborations.
Although it was the most challenging experience any of us had ever faced, it was worth it. Now, as we walk through our university halls, we no longer see nameless classmates—we see friends.
Dovoľte nám predstaviť sa! Aktivistky a aktivisti občianskeho združenia Sa zobuď!
