Susan Curl studied in Valencia not once, but twice, and fell in love with Spain. She knew early on that she wanted to spend more time in Spain after completing her first study abroad experience the summer following her first year, and then returned for a full fall semester her third year.

Professor Fernando Operé, founder of UVA’s Valencia program and a professor of Spanish, was not only her professor and advisor during her undergraduate years, but continued to be a mentor through graduation and beyond. From supporting her in her search for an internship in Madrid, to her post-graduation plans, he and his involvement in the Valencia program helped forge a path that would, unbeknownst to her at the time, set her on her current professional trajectory. From an internship at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid to teaching business English at Banco Santander, Prof. Operé encouraged her to keep pursuing her dream of living in Madrid.

For Curl, who graduated with a degree in Spanish Language and Culture with a minor in International Business in 2007, it was important to use her language degree in her career. Curl started her translation career in 2009 with a translation services company in New York – Curl Translations -- with her business partner Pamela Boyle in 2012.

She pursued a two-year master’s degree in translation and interpretation from Universidad Complutense in Madrid starting in 2012, and followed it up with a second year-long program at the same university to specialize in legal translation.

Today, Curl is an experienced translation professional with operations and business development experience in the U.S., Spain, and the Middle East. Curl Translations has grown exponentially and handles more than 60 language combinations, specializes in 12 different sectors, and works with clients in 15 countries. They work with major corporations such as American Express, Sephora, and AIG and is an official translation provider for the U.S. Embassy in Spain & Andorra. Curl added that her team has translated well over 20 million words to date.

“When you major in a language, I think the automatic assumption is that in order to use it you will end up teaching. There are so many other ways to use language majors in your professional career,” she said.

Valencia was the first extended study abroad experience for Curl and she said her host families went out of their way to make it a great experience for her. “They would organize trips around coastal Spain and show us around on a daily basis,” Curl said. “Aside from feeling safe and supported in another country, I genuinely had a wonderful time living with my host families.” She added that she kept in touch with them after graduation. Curl encourages students to give education abroad experiences a try.

Studying in another country, learning a new language, and meeting so many new people gave Curl the confidence to move abroad after graduation and to pursue a master’s degree in her second language.

She now lives in Madrid and has called Spain home for the past 11 years. In fact, she is marrying a Spaniard in November. “It is no understatement to say the UVA in Valencia program not only shaped my professional career, but touched every aspect of my life.”

MORE INFORMATION:

40th Anniversary of UVA in Valencia

Curl Translations