Learning Log of German Publishing Trainee in Belfast – Paulin Clemens

The four weeks of my traineeship in Belfast with Trainer Christine Watson have now come to an end. From the very beginning, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects. I completed much of what I had planned to learn and visited even more than I imagined during my short stay here in Northern Ireland.

Marketing

I learned new aspects of marketing by taking part in some of Christine’s in person and online courses, which gave me valuable insights. I had planned to get familiar with Google Business Profile, which I successfully did. I further learned more about its importance by completing a free course provided online by Google on how to optimise a profile, as well as through Christine’s practical showcasing and guidance. She showed me how to add content and events to a Business Profile. I experienced the importance of an accurate Google Business Profile firsthand when I went out for dinner with friends. One restaurant stated on its profile that it accepted card payments, which was not the case. We then tried two more restaurants that claimed the same, but they also did not accept card payments. After three unsuccessful attempts and increasingly “hangry” moods we ended up ordering in!

Photography

At the beginning of my traineeship, I attended a free Apple Store workshop in Belfast on how to take better photos using an iPhone, together with fellow Erasmus trainee from Germany Erijon. The workshop not only taught me how to use a range of new camera settings but also how to take appealing photos of people or buildings and nature and experiment with different perspectives. In addition, I learned how to edit my photos afterwards. I would highly recommend this course. It is tailored to your level of experience with the iPhone and focuses on your personal interests and what you would like to learn. My colleague, trainee Erijon also taught me how to use the DJI camera and how to use the Meta Glasses to capture video content which was interesting as well as I have never used these devices before.

Blogging and WordPress

I learned how to write blog posts and publish them on WordPress for the Training Matchmaker website. For my photos, I also added alt text, having learned how important this is for accessibility. This is particularly important for me as I work in publishing.

 

Canva

I developed new skills in Canva and practiced the use of features new to me such as using the bulk creation feature to design testimonials for clients and the video editing tools. After I learned how to bulk create, I was able to teach Erijon how to do it I also experimented with Canva’s AI tools, which I had not used before. Even the video editing on Canva was easier than I thought as it was my first time using it as well. Overall, my Canva skills have improved significantly, and I can now create content more efficiently and quickly. I also had the opportunity to create potential content for clients, which I really enjoyed. There is a useful exercise called a “sprint”, where you aim to produce as much content as possible within two hours, spending no more than 15 minutes per post. This can be a very effective method when time is limited but you still want high-quality results.

Published by Paulin

During my four weeks in Belfast, my goal was to have the content I created whether written text or photographs published on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Google Business Profile. I achieved this, with both the photos I took and a signpost I created being published on LinkedIn. A video I created on Canva, which put my newfound skills to use, was published across platforms as well. The content I created for clients may take some time to be published as it has to be approved by them first, a wise protocol which is understandable. In addition, I had my first blog post about my learning plan for my time in Belfast and this blog – my learning log of achievements published on the Training Matchmaker website.

Culture and Language

During my time in Belfast, I aimed to improve my English speaking and writing skills. While four weeks is not a long time, I believe I made noticeable progress, particularly in speaking, as I used English every day. At first, the Northern Irish accent was quite challenging, but after about two weeks I became more accustomed to it and found it easier to understand. I also learned that people here often use the word “wee” to mean “small”, as in “Do you want a wee cup of tea?”. My friends and I liked this expression so much that we started using it ourselves. In Germany, I prefer to start work early, around 7:30 am, to finish earlier in the day. In Belfast, I noticed that people tend to start work at around 9:00 am, while shops often close early, around 6:00 pm. I initially wondered how people managed their shopping, but I learned that there are retail parks outside the city with longer opening hours, which also presents challenges for city centre shops. Another thing I noticed about people in Belfast and Northern Ireland in general is how kind and helpful they are. When we seemed confused or unsure, people often approached us to offer help without us even asking. Thanks to Christine, I had the opportunity to visit many places across Northern Ireland. I particularly enjoyed the Lock Keeper’s Cottage in Toome, where you can have a lovely lunch and walk along Lough Neagh and It’s Waterways. It was also a filming location for Game of Thrones, which I am a fan of. Newcastle was another favourite destination of mine, especially Tollymore Forest Park. Other highlights from my activities included the Giant’s Causeway (we booked a bus tour to get there), Rathlin Island and the ferry journey there (even though we did not see any puffins as hoped), the views and cocktails at the top of the Grand Central Hotel, St George’s Market, and pubs such as the Linen Hall Bar with live music and Hatfield’s, which was located just across from our accommodation. I also really enjoyed the Game of Thrones stained-glass windows along the river in Belfast. In terms of local food, I tried a Belfast bap and Irish stew with wheaten bread, both of which I enjoyed very much and would like to recreate at home.

About Me

My name is Paulin Clemens. I am 23 years old and live in Berlin, Germany. I am currently completing an apprenticeship at a publishing house that produces professional magazines, specialising in topics such as electrical engineering, employment law, and tenancy law. I am training to become a media agent in print and digital media.

Thank You

Finally, I would like to express my sincere thanks especially to Christine. Thanks to her, I was able to learn a lot about marketing and to see many places in Northern Ireland. I would also like to thank Intern Europe for giving me the opportunity to live and work in Belfast for four weeks, and the people of Belfast for their warmth and hospitality, which made my stay truly unforgettable.