New country, new challenge, new opportunities – my Erasmus+ journey is about to begin with Watson & Co. Chartered Marketing and TrainingMatchmaker.com – my work placement host in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Hello my name is Marlene Mohr, I’m from Austria and I currently work as an Insurance Sales Manager. Soon, I will be stepping into a completely new world: marketing.
Through the Erasmus+ programme, I am in Belfast, Northern Ireland for a 5 week traineeship that will take me out of my usual environment and into a dynamic, creative field I’ve always been curious about.
I will be completing my traineeship at Watson & Co. Chartered Marketing, a business founded by Chartered Marketer Christine Watson.
An exciting opportunity that gives me the chance to dive into the world of marketing, expand my professional skills, and experience a new culture and working environment.
I’m especially excited to gain hands-on experience in digital marketing, social media campaigns, brand strategy, and customer engagement. I also plan to complete online and in person courses that will deepen my knowledge and help me link what I learn in theory directly to real-world projects.
But my journey won’t be all work. I’m looking forward to exploring Belfast’s vibrant culture, discovering the beauty of Northern Ireland, and making international connections that could shape both my career and personal life.
Learning Objectives
Improve my English:
I aim to strengthen my English language skills, both written and spoken, by working in an English-speaking office environment. I will expand my vocabulary, improve my grammar, and gain more confidence in professional communication – especially in meetings, emails, and social media content creation.
Behind the scenes of a marketing agency:
I want to understand how a marketing agency operates on a daily basis. This includes learning about project planning, client communication, campaign execution, reporting, and how creative ideas are developed into real strategies. By observing and supporting the team, I hope to get a full picture of the processes that take place behind the scenes.
Digital skills:
I plan to develop my practical skills using digital tools and platforms commonly used in the marketing industry. This includes working with Canva.com for design tasks, using online scheduling tools, such as Meta Business Suite, learning about analytics within platforms such as Meta Business Suite, Google Business profile, LinkedIn, Mailchimp for email marketing and giphy.com, wordpress for websites and blogging and understanding how digital campaigns are monitored and optimised. I also plan to develop my content marketing skills in photography, videography and search engine marketing.
Interesting Courses:
Courses that I have found and plan to complete include the Canva Design School, free Workshops at Apple (over AI, Take better Photos on Iphone), go succeed Courses from Christine Watson about Canva.
Social media marketing:
I aim to deepen my knowledge of how social media is used for professional marketing purposes. I will learn how to create engaging posts, plan content calendars, schedule posts effectively, and analyse performance metrics. Understanding platform-specific strategies for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, Google business profile and more are also learning goals.
Learning Experience About Erasmus+
As part of the Erasmus+ Programme, I get to avail of an exciting opportunity to take part in a professional internship abroad in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Erasmus+ is an EU-funded programme that supports education, training, youth, and sport across Europe. It promotes mobility by allowing students and young professionals to gain international work experience, develop intercultural skills, and improve their employability in today’s global job market.
Through this programme, I aim to enhance my language and professional skills, experience a new work culture, and broaden my personal and professional horizons.
Placement Support – InternEurope
My internship is arranged and supported by InternEurope, a professional intermediary organisation based in Belfast. InternEurope specialises in organising structured internships for European students and graduates.
They will support me throughout the process by: Finding a suitable host company, Providing cultural orientation and local guidance, Assisting with accommodation and travel arrangements, Offering personal and professional development tools during the stay.
Host Company Watson & Co. Chartered Marketing, founded by Christine Watson, Chartered Marketer
During my internship, I will have the privilege of working with Christine Watson, a highly experienced Chartered Marketer and founder of Watson & Co. Chartered Marketing and theTrainingMatchmaker.com platform.
Christine is widely recognised for her strategic marketing knowledge and her involvement in professional training and business development across Northern Ireland.
Working with a Chartered Marketer will offer me a valuable introduction to UK marketing industry, and will help shape my future career path.
During my time in Belfast, I’m also looking forward to discovering the rich culture and history of Northern Ireland. Exploring the city and its surroundings will help me better understand local life, traditions, and the unique atmosphere that makes Belfast special.
Here are some of the places I would like to visit:
Here are some useful Links to inform you about NI: Discover NI, Visit Belfast
Titanic Belfast – the world-famous museum located at the former shipyard where the RMS Titanic was built
Belfast Castle – a beautiful 19th-century castle offering panoramic views over the city
Crumlin Road Gaol – a historic prison turned museum that tells the story of Belfast’s past
St George’s Market – one of the oldest markets in the UK, known for its local food, crafts, and live music
Belfast City Hall – an iconic building in the heart of Belfast, often surrounded by public events and exhibitions
Botanic Gardens & Ulster Museum – a relaxing green space with a museum showcasing history, art, and science
Street Art – to learn more about Belfast’s political history and its transformation through public art
The Giant’s Causeway (day trip) – a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its natural basalt columns
Dublin (day trip) – a really sweet city and only 2 hours away from Belfast, a must seen is the Grafton Street.
Google Maps Pins:
Before my time in Northern Ireland, I use Google Maps to drop pins to all the places I want to visit, work, or explore.
