New country! Try as much as possible – That was my mindset when I started my Erasmus+ traineeship in Belfast, Northern Ireland. After three unforgettable weeks, I can say this experience helped me build new skills and gave me a deeper understanding of marketing, event coordination, and life in another culture.
My traineeship took place at Watson and Co. Chartered Marketing and under the guidance of Trainer: Chartered Marketer Christine Watson. As part of the Erasmus+ programme, I was supported by Intern Europe, who organised the placement and provided orientation, accommodation, and practical support throughout my stay.
Professional learning experience
During my training, I worked on a range of projects that strengthened both my creative and technical marketing skills. I supported the preparation and delivery of marketing events and customer service training workshops. I designed and updated event materials using Canva, prepared handouts and presentations, and handled post event feedback. I learned how strong planning and organisation lead to smooth and effective events.
Customer Service and Marketing Training Course Attendance My Trainer and host Christine runs a small but busy marketing mentoring and training company – Watson & Co. Chartered Marketing. Throughout my short traineeship I had the opportunity to attend, to support and to listen and learn from her various online and in person training deliveries. I was able to pick up tips and insights from her online webinar for Antrim Chamber on social media marketing, her in person Go Succeed workshop for Antrim and Newtownabbey borough council, funded by UK Government and organised by Enterprise NI on content marketing and prescheduling tools, her Advanced Canva course for Enterprising Women MEA network organised by Carrickfergus Enterprise and I, along with a number of other learners, got to successfully graduate from the globally recognised WorldHost principles of customer service training programme – a lively and interactive workshop that has been delivered to over one million individuals worldwide.Digital marketing and social media
I created and scheduled content for Instagram and Facebook using Meta Business Suite. I also developed content for use on the LinkedIn platform, I was shown how to optimise a Google Business profile and I analysed performance data and learned how to use insights to improve reach and engagement.
Content creation and graphic design
I developed branded visuals, templates, and infographics. I completed Canva Design School certificates to improve my design skills. I worked with colours, typography, and branding to create a consistent visual identity and my colleague Paulin Clemens, also from Germany showed me how to use the bulk create function on our Canva Pro account, following insight into the content developed for an Advanced Canva course delivery by Trainer Christine to a group of Enterprising Women in Carrickfergus.
Photography and video for marketing
For post event marketing and leverage I captured photos and short videos at the learning events and workshops that took place during my placement using apple smartphones, the DJI Osmo Pocket 2 and 3, and the DJI Mic system. I also delivered a presentation on how to use DJI Osmo devices for content creation, to fellow trainee Paulin, to the team of Lloyds school of motoring – a local SME that Trainer Christine delivers marketing mentoring services to and I got to briefly showcase the content tool to Michelle Lestas – a professional coach and organiser of the annual MENTupLEADup® conference that Christine had a coffee meeting with in the Bobbin café of Belfast City Hall – a social enterprise client Christine had previously delivered WorldHost training to. I was also afforded the opportunity to attend a free Apple Today workshop in the Apple store in Belfast city centre on taking better photos with an iPhone, which improved my awareness of composition and lighting in my photography – skills I practiced when supporting a photoshoot with Alice Magee Counselling Services.
Marketing technology and innovation
I explored Meta Ray Ban smart glasses and how they can support hands free content creation and storytelling. This gave me insight into future marketing tools to capture content during an event for use in post event marketing – PR, publishing on social media and on websites. I observed how campaigns are planned, executed, and evaluated. I also worked for the first time with the wordpress platform that hosts the TrainingMatchmaker.com website and I published blogs and utilised SEO (search engine optimisation) tools like Yoast. I also saw firsthand how AI, when used responsibly, can support research, writing, and idea generation.
Cultural and personal experience in Northern Ireland
Living and working in Belfast was a valuable experience. Each day brought something new, from historic sites to local cafés and pubs. The Irish people were open and welcoming, which made it easy to settle in.
On weekends, I explored the region using Translink buses and trains. They are affordable and easy to use. For longer trips, I joined on a tour from get your guide and can proudly say, those were the best 25 pounds I spent. We visited the Giant’s Causeway and explored amazing natural landscapes and many places
Furthermore I visited many places in Northern Ireland, because my motto was to try see as many things as possible within my three weeks living and working in Belfast. Indeed my traineeship itself brought me to a number of different places that other Erasmus students I was in Northern Ireland alongside did not get the time or opportunity to experience – lesser known and marketed places such as Toome, Lough Neagh and It’s Waterways, Ballygally Castle and Newcastle – where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea for example.
Visit Highlights- Giant’s Causeway – the best time and money I spent!
- St George’s Market with live music and local food – a great thing to do on a Sunday morning as the shop opening times in this country on a Sunday are 1pm to 6pm
- Belfast City Hall with exhibitions and architecture and a social enterprise café: The Bobbin
- The Cathedral Quarter with street art and nightlife, during my stay I got the experience and to go to “The Whites” one of the best looking Pubs in Belfast in my opinion in terms of music, atmosphere and interiors.
- The Oval Stadium was a real highlight for football fans and for many groundhoppers a must see. Especially for me as a German, due to historical backgrounds.
- Close to my South Belfast accommodation I enjoyed the Botanic Gardens and Ulster Museum for a quiet break from the city and I was delighted that the museum was free to enter and experience!
- Through a client meeting in Toome my erasmus+ colleage from Berlin Paulin, who is a big Game of Thrones Fan and I were able to see Lough Neagh, the largest inwater Lake in the United Kingdom and Ireland and a Game of Thrones filming location – we enjoyed a nice stroll along the waterside and lunch in social enterprise charity The Lock Keeper’s Inn – part of TIDAL
- The Dark Hedges and Dunluce Castle for history and views
- Derry/Londonderry for history and culture.
- Newcastle in County Down with views of the Mourne Mountains and the great looking coastline as well as Tollymore Forest Park
- Carrickfergus Castle and old military tank
- Belfast Castle and it’s many cats!
Reflection and takeaways
This traineeship helped me reach most of my learning goals that I set out to accomplish in my first blog and discover new interests. I improved my professional English, teamwork, and communication skills. I gained confidence in presenting and working with clients.
Working with Christine Watson showed me how effective content marketing requires creativity and strategy. I had the freedom to test my own ideas, which made the experience more valuable.
Beyond work, I adapted to a new culture, managed daily life abroad, and built many international connections.
This experience motivated me to continue developing my career in events and marketing as an event coordinator and apply my new marketing and communication skills in my work at ADAC in Germany.
I am grateful to Christine, Intern Europe, and Erasmus+ for this opportunity. It is an experience I will not forget.
