Curriculum Vitae for Yusuf ELHAJJAR
Personal Details
Name: Yusuf S. M. ELHAJJAR
Date of Birth: 04 December 1981
Nationality: Norwegian (Palestinian)
Marital Status: Married
Address: Eidskogvegen 4, 2211 Kongsvinger, Norway.
Contact Information
Mobile: (+47) 46 230 500
E-mail: elhajjar1981@gmail.com
Education
[Oct. 2004 - Oct. 2005]
M.A. in Arabic/English Translation (with distinction)
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
University of Durham - U.K.
N.B.: Obtained a full merit-based scholarship from Durham Palestine Educational Trust.
[Sept. 1999 - June 2003]
B.A. in English Language and Literature
Faculty of Arts - English Dept.
Islamic University of Gaza
Accumulative Average (86.30%)
N.B.: Obtained a full 4-year, merit-based Presidential scholarship to do my BA degree.
[Sept. 1998 - June 1999]
Al-Karmel Secondary School - Gaza
Tawjihi - Literary Stream
Average Obtained: (96.2%)
Work Experience
[ Jan. 2009 - until now, 2011 ] Working as a freelance Norwegian<>Arabic interpreter with the Refugee Office in Stjørdal City, in Norway, and carried out interpreting assignments (of more than 170 hours) at the Adult Education Center, Police Station, Social Security Office, dentist's, and at schools in Stjørdal Municipality. A letter of work experience as an Norwegian-Arabic interpreter is availale upon request.
[ July - August 2009] Worked as a teacher at Stjørdal Adult Education Center - I was responsible for organizing a 50-hour social studies course on Norway and the Norwegian society. The target group was 18 Adult refugees from Iraq and Palestine. The language of instruction was mainly in Arabic, but important Norwegian terms were also emphasized and used regularly.
[Nov. 07 - Dec. 08 ] I joined a Norwegian language course to learn the four language skills of this language.
[Dec. 2006 - 22 April 2007] Worked as an Arabic<>English translator at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's (UNRWA's) Department of Education in Gaza Field Office.
[March 2006 - August 2006] Worked as a part-time lecturer at two Palestinian universities: Al-Azhar University and Al-Aqsa University in Gaza City. I taught the following courses (to more than 700 male and female students): Translation II, Listening and Speaking, Reading, Business English, and English language university requirements.
[15th Dec. 2005 - 1st Feb. 2006] Worked as an international observer assistant and interpreter with the National Democratic Institute: www.ndi.org during the second elections of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Duties: interpreting in meetings and interviews with independent candidates, party lists, Central Elections Commission, District Election Offices, and NGO's. In addition, for three weeks I wrote weekly reports when the international observer, Oleksiy Lychkovakh, was advised to stay out of Gaza for security reasons, thus I was able to complete the observation mission by myself.
[Sept 2003 - Sept 2004] Worked as an Arabic/English translator for the Palestinian State Information Service (SIS), in Gaza City, under a one-year project funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Duties: translating [Arabic<>English], proofreading, editing, and updating the files, reports, and documents posted on the website of the Palestinian National Information Centre (PNIC): www.pnic.gov.ps
[2000 - 2003] Worked as a freelance translator, interpreter, and fixer with many freelance journalists and photographers, as well as Middle East correspondents of the Chicago Sun Times, Jerusalem Post, Toronto Star, USA Today, The Times, and BBC Radio, in addition to many other freelance journalists and photographers from the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece and Japan. With them, I covered news in hotspots within the Gaza Strip, helping them write feature stories on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and interpreting interviews with political leaders.
[May 6th, 2003] Did a consecutive translation for a workshop entitled ''Quality TV Programs for Children'' held by Kirsten Schneid, the German organization manager of Prix Jeunesse International. This workshop was held at Al-Qattan Foundation for Research and Educational Development, in Gaza City.
[January 2003] Translated the working papers of the first conference held by Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights. The conference was entitled ''Media of Human Rights and Future Challenges''. The translation has been documented in a book and was distributed on many Palestinian educational institutions and non-governmental organizations.
[June 2002 - June 2003] Volunteered at Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights. Duties: translating and documenting press releases and special reports on human rights violations perpetrated within the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
[2000 - present] Translated many project proposals on sustainable development, Palestinian heritage, democracy and human rights issues, as well as environmental issues.
* Offered help to Palestinian human rights centers, grassroots and non-governmental organizations in the sphere of translation and interpretation, as well as volunteering as a guide, showing foreign human rights delegations around within the Gaza Strip in coordination with the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network.
* Taught an intensive Arabic language course of standard Arabic and Palestinian colloquial Arabic to foreigners through which they could have a very good command of spoken Palestinian Arabic.
Special Skills and Abilities
* Having excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment.
* Working under pressure and in different circumstances with a positive attitude.
* Translating nearly 3000 words per day for Arabic/English non-technical texts.
* Mastering 3 languages: Arabic (mother tongue), English (holder of a Master's degree in Arabic/English Translation, with distinction), and Norwegian: in January 2009 I passed 'Bergenstest', which is a test for the highest level in Norwegian language, both orally and in writing.
Technology
* Have built up and designed my own website: www.TransAraLingo.com in August 2008 and I update it regularly. * Have used the Internet since September 1999. * I can handle computers with: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP Professional, and can use Microsoft Office 2003, PowerPoint, Internet Search techniques. * Can send and receive e-mails professionally, in addition to typing fast.
References
(1) Prof. James Dickins - (My former teacher and supervisor)
Title: Chair of Arabic and Head of Department
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
University of Leeds, UK.
Contact Info:
E-mail: j.dickins@leeds.ac.uk
Tel: +44 113 343 1311
Fax: +44 113 343 3517
More references shall be available upon request.
Personal Details
Name: Yusuf S. M. ELHAJJAR
Date of Birth: 04 December 1981
Nationality: Norwegian (Palestinian)
Marital Status: Married
Address: Eidskogvegen 4, 2211 Kongsvinger, Norway.
Contact Information
Mobile: (+47) 46 230 500
E-mail: elhajjar1981@gmail.com
Education
[Oct. 2004 - Oct. 2005]
M.A. in Arabic/English Translation (with distinction)
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
University of Durham - U.K.
N.B.: Obtained a full merit-based scholarship from Durham Palestine Educational Trust.
[Sept. 1999 - June 2003]
B.A. in English Language and Literature
Faculty of Arts - English Dept.
Islamic University of Gaza
Accumulative Average (86.30%)
N.B.: Obtained a full 4-year, merit-based Presidential scholarship to do my BA degree.
[Sept. 1998 - June 1999]
Al-Karmel Secondary School - Gaza
Tawjihi - Literary Stream
Average Obtained: (96.2%)
Work Experience
[ Jan. 2009 - until now, 2011 ] Working as a freelance Norwegian<>Arabic interpreter with the Refugee Office in Stjørdal City, in Norway, and carried out interpreting assignments (of more than 170 hours) at the Adult Education Center, Police Station, Social Security Office, dentist's, and at schools in Stjørdal Municipality. A letter of work experience as an Norwegian-Arabic interpreter is availale upon request.
[ July - August 2009] Worked as a teacher at Stjørdal Adult Education Center - I was responsible for organizing a 50-hour social studies course on Norway and the Norwegian society. The target group was 18 Adult refugees from Iraq and Palestine. The language of instruction was mainly in Arabic, but important Norwegian terms were also emphasized and used regularly.
[Nov. 07 - Dec. 08 ] I joined a Norwegian language course to learn the four language skills of this language.
[Dec. 2006 - 22 April 2007] Worked as an Arabic<>English translator at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's (UNRWA's) Department of Education in Gaza Field Office.
[March 2006 - August 2006] Worked as a part-time lecturer at two Palestinian universities: Al-Azhar University and Al-Aqsa University in Gaza City. I taught the following courses (to more than 700 male and female students): Translation II, Listening and Speaking, Reading, Business English, and English language university requirements.
[15th Dec. 2005 - 1st Feb. 2006] Worked as an international observer assistant and interpreter with the National Democratic Institute: www.ndi.org during the second elections of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Duties: interpreting in meetings and interviews with independent candidates, party lists, Central Elections Commission, District Election Offices, and NGO's. In addition, for three weeks I wrote weekly reports when the international observer, Oleksiy Lychkovakh, was advised to stay out of Gaza for security reasons, thus I was able to complete the observation mission by myself.
[Sept 2003 - Sept 2004] Worked as an Arabic/English translator for the Palestinian State Information Service (SIS), in Gaza City, under a one-year project funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Duties: translating [Arabic<>English], proofreading, editing, and updating the files, reports, and documents posted on the website of the Palestinian National Information Centre (PNIC): www.pnic.gov.ps
[2000 - 2003] Worked as a freelance translator, interpreter, and fixer with many freelance journalists and photographers, as well as Middle East correspondents of the Chicago Sun Times, Jerusalem Post, Toronto Star, USA Today, The Times, and BBC Radio, in addition to many other freelance journalists and photographers from the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece and Japan. With them, I covered news in hotspots within the Gaza Strip, helping them write feature stories on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and interpreting interviews with political leaders.
[May 6th, 2003] Did a consecutive translation for a workshop entitled ''Quality TV Programs for Children'' held by Kirsten Schneid, the German organization manager of Prix Jeunesse International. This workshop was held at Al-Qattan Foundation for Research and Educational Development, in Gaza City.
[January 2003] Translated the working papers of the first conference held by Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights. The conference was entitled ''Media of Human Rights and Future Challenges''. The translation has been documented in a book and was distributed on many Palestinian educational institutions and non-governmental organizations.
[June 2002 - June 2003] Volunteered at Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights. Duties: translating and documenting press releases and special reports on human rights violations perpetrated within the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
[2000 - present] Translated many project proposals on sustainable development, Palestinian heritage, democracy and human rights issues, as well as environmental issues.
* Offered help to Palestinian human rights centers, grassroots and non-governmental organizations in the sphere of translation and interpretation, as well as volunteering as a guide, showing foreign human rights delegations around within the Gaza Strip in coordination with the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network.
* Taught an intensive Arabic language course of standard Arabic and Palestinian colloquial Arabic to foreigners through which they could have a very good command of spoken Palestinian Arabic.
Special Skills and Abilities
* Having excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment.
* Working under pressure and in different circumstances with a positive attitude.
* Translating nearly 3000 words per day for Arabic/English non-technical texts.
* Mastering 3 languages: Arabic (mother tongue), English (holder of a Master's degree in Arabic/English Translation, with distinction), and Norwegian: in January 2009 I passed 'Bergenstest', which is a test for the highest level in Norwegian language, both orally and in writing.
Technology
* Have built up and designed my own website: www.TransAraLingo.com in August 2008 and I update it regularly. * Have used the Internet since September 1999. * I can handle computers with: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP Professional, and can use Microsoft Office 2003, PowerPoint, Internet Search techniques. * Can send and receive e-mails professionally, in addition to typing fast.
References
(1) Prof. James Dickins - (My former teacher and supervisor)
Title: Chair of Arabic and Head of Department
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
University of Leeds, UK.
Contact Info:
E-mail: j.dickins@leeds.ac.uk
Tel: +44 113 343 1311
Fax: +44 113 343 3517
More references shall be available upon request.
 |
 |
Yusuf Salah Elhajjar, August 2009