How a piano teacher found her calling as a medical interpreter

Shuwei Xie moved from China to Canada to pursue a master’s in music, but life got in the way of her plans once she became pregnant with the first of three children. She never imagined that SFU’s Medical Translation and Interpretation Certificate would help her find a new calling years later.

While Shuwei put her master’s degree studies on hold to prioritize caring for her children, she used her musical expertise to teach piano lessons from home. But once her kids became old enough, she was finally ready to enter the Canadian workforce for the first time. 

The idea of a medical interpretation career first came to Shuwei when she was in a hospital for an appointment and observed a medical interpreter at work with another patient. 

“I realized that I helped a lot of people in my life go to the hospital and visit doctors,” Shuwei explains. “My parents-in-law, other friends who were new immigrants, they can’t speak fluent English.” 

Having no background in the medical field, Shuwei found herself learning medical terminology in two languages once she enrolled in the SFU program. She also sharpened her previously untrained interpretation and translation skills. 

“Before, I would just interpret English into Chinese directly, and the sentence would sound weird,” Shuwei recalls. “I learned that main ideas should go first, regardless of the language I’m interpreting in. That’s why I feel like both parties can understand me well.”

Thanks to the StrongerBC future skills grant, she was able to take the first step toward a new career without worrying about how it would affect her family’s finances. 

Shuwei now freelances as an interpreter and translator for six different agencies, allowing her the flexibility to work from home while her kids are in school. 

The best part of her job? Being able to help patients communicate and get the care they need.

“Some patients may have seen a doctor a few times, but because of not speaking the same language, they are not able to express how they feel or what they’re experiencing,” Shuwei says.

“I especially like the part where I get to help the doctor deliver good news. It’s so satisfying to see a smile on a patient’s face.”

By Bernice Puzon