Imke Grijpma was born in Santiago , Chile , in 1963. As she spent much of her childhood in various countries in Latin America , she has spoken Spanish virtually from birth.

She met Betteke de Gaay Fortman in the Netherlands at Utrecht University , where they studied Spanish language and literature together. As a student, Imke also worked as a volunteer interpreter, helping people such as Nobel Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú. After graduating in 1987, Imke and Betteke soon opened a business to facilitate all types of communication between Spanish and Dutch speakers. Servicio was established in late 1988.

Since 1988 Imke has been involved in major publications and international events through Servicio. She has interpreted at interparliamentary visits from Spain and contributed to a book about pre-Colombian art.

In addition to language in general and Spanish in particular, Imke has several other interests and hobbies. She spends her free time with her husband at sea on a catamaran, climbing mountains or cycling through exotic countries from Zimbabwe to Laos . She is also an avid equestrian and does carousel riding, a special team sport on horseback, at the national level. See www.dehollandschemanege.nl.

Servicio

Panamalaan 1H

1019 AS Amsterdam

Nederland / The Netherlands / Holanda

tel: (+31) (0) 20-422.3482

fax: (+31) (0) 20-422.1872

info@servicio.nl