Hello, my name is Andrea, I am 18 years old and I come from Vacallo, Switzerland. I attend CPT in Trevano, where I am studying Computer Engineering, Programming and Internet Networks. I am currently doing an Erasmus traineeship in Belfast, Northern Ireland, thanks to a project coordinated by my school. I am completing my traineeship at Watson & Co. Chartered Marketing, a business founded by Chartered Marketer Christine Watson. This is a unique opportunity for me: it allows me to step outside my comfort zone, experience life and work in another country, improve my English and, above all, learn practical and personal skills that will be useful for my future. In this blog, I have decided to write a learning plan, which is a list of skills that I would like to develop or improve and courses I would like to complete during my time here in Belfast. I have also added details of some of the places that I really would like to visit during my time in Northern Ireland.
Improve my English: One of the main reasons I decided to participate in this Erasmus programme is the opportunity to improve my English. Although I have already studied the language at school, practising it every day in a real-life context is very different. I would like to improve my understanding during everyday conversations, learn new vocabulary, feel more confident speaking and writing in English, and work on my pronunciation by listening to native speakers and trying to improve my accent.
Digital skills and social media marketing: During my traineeship, I would like to have the opportunity to closely observe how online communication works for a company or organisation. I would like to learn how to use digital tools such as the graphic design tool Canva, Trello (for planning and tracking work tasks), and Google Business profile, understand how to plan content for social media for promotional and marketing purposes, utilising prescheduling on Meta Business Suite for example, discover how to measure the success of a social media campaign (e.g. through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn data, etc.), and improve my digital writing skills, especially in English. I would also like to make a positive impact on commercial websites by performing website audits, making recommendations and delivering improvements given my skill set in this area this will help me develop a solid portfolio of work. I believe that these skills and building a strong portfolio of work will be very useful, both if I decide to work in this field and for future personal projects. I plan to attend online webinars delivered by my Supervisor that teach aspects of marketing, specifically powerful marketing strategies, Canva.com as well as optimising Facebook for business and leveraging LinkedIn. LinkedIn is new to me and I plan to create my own professional profile on LinkedIn, connect with the business people that I met during my traineeship and make insightful, value adding posts. I have been advised that strong photo and video will help with good social media content creation so I plan to attend the free photo and video workshops at the Apple Store in Belfast city centre.
Working in a multicultural environment: Another important skill I would like to develop is the ability to work in a team and carry out work in a culturally different environment from the one I am used to. I think it is important to be able to communicate clearly and respectfully, collaborate and share ideas, and be patient and adapt to different working styles. I hope that this experience will help me become a more flexible, open-minded person who is ready to work in any international context.
Customer service and hospitality: I hope that during my traineeship I will have the opportunity to work in a role that involves contact with customers, as this would allow me to learn how to welcome customers or visitors in a professional manner, what phrases and behaviours are most effective in providing good service, and how to handle difficult situations or special requests. I think these are fundamental skills for any field of work, and this would help me greatly to improve in this area, as well as in language skills, of course. As such I plan to invest time to successfully complete the world renowned WorldHost principles of customer service training programme, which my employer Christine Watson is licensed to deliver at the Harrison boutique townhouse in South Belfast on 30 July.
Effective writing and communication: I would also like to improve my ability to communicate clearly and effectively. During this period, I hope to have the opportunity to: write emails to customers, draft short promotional texts or social media posts, and take notes and rework important information. I am sure that training and experience in this field will be useful to me both at school and in the world of work.
SEO & Keyword Analysis: I would like to learn more about SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), as I think it is very important to understand this dynamic in every field of work, as it can greatly help businesses to grow and gain visibility. Also, in relation to this topic, I would like to do some keyword analysis, as this allows you to understand how to adapt your digital or marketing campaigns to gain greater visibility and know which words to use to attract your audience. I plan to learn ‘on the job’ by utilising the tools recommended to me by my Supervisor and Trainer namely: Yoast – a plug in used in WordPress websites, including this website trainingmatchmaker.com, SEOPTIMER, AnswerThePublic.com, SEMRush and Google Adwords keyword planner for example.
Experiencing the Destination of Northern Ireland: Whilst I live and work in Belfast I plan to make the very most of my free time and also utilise any time working away from the office in various locations in order to fully experience the place as a tourist.
Visit the Giant’s causeway: During my stay in Belfast, one of the experiences I dream of having is visiting the Giant’s Causeway, one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic sites. I’ve seen lots of photos of this place and I’m very curious about it. I believe it will be an unforgettable experience, a way to learn more about the culture and history of the place and admire nature. Without a doubt, it is one of the destinations I definitely don’t want to miss during my time in Northern Ireland.
Visit Dublin: Another place I would like to visit during my Erasmus exchange is Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. It is a city that intrigues me greatly with its lively atmosphere, rich history and perfect blend of tradition and modernity. I would like to visit historical sites such as Trinity College and see the famous Book of Kells. Visiting Dublin would be a unique opportunity for me to broaden my cultural horizons even further during this trip and I have been advised that it is only a short bus or train ride from Belfast and I can make it there and back over the course of just one day – it is approximately a 2.5 hour journey by bus.
Ulster Museum: I would also really like to visit the Ulster Museum, as it is close to my accommodation and I have read many positive reviews about it. Visiting this museum, which is free of charge, gives you the opportunity to learn more about the history of Belfast and beyond and I think it would be a very interesting experience.
Titanic Museum: I think that when you come to Belfast, one of the things you really can’t miss is the Titanic Museum. I’m very curious about it because it tells the whole story of the Titanic – from its construction in the Belfast shipyards to its tragic voyage. And then I saw that the museum is very interactive, with reconstructions, visual effects and lots of things to discover. I think it’s much more than just a museum: it’s a real experience. I would love to go there to better understand the dynamics and history behind this famous ship. In my opinion, seeing all this up close, right where the Titanic was born, must be truly exciting. My fellow trainee Nicola Sartini has experienced the Titanic Museum and recommends me to include this during my time here.
Carrickfergus Castle: Another place I would love to visit during my Erasmus year is Carrickfergus Castle. I’ve seen it in some photos online and it looks like a really fascinating place. It’s located near the sea, about half an hour from Belfast, and seems perfect for a day trip. I’m particularly interested in it because, from what I’ve read online, it’s one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Northern Ireland. I also really like castles and everything related to that era in general. It would also be an opportunity to discover some local history and see a piece of the past up close. And then, I won’t deny it, I would also go there to take some nice photos: between the sea view and the historical atmosphere, it seems like one of those places that is worth seeing. I have been advised that my work placement deliver marketing and customer service training and mentoring for a social enterprise charity in Carrickfergus and that a visit here could be possible within a work day with a client, at their premises.
Game of Thrones Museum: I’m a huge Game of Thrones fan, so I can’t miss this museum. Honestly, I have no idea what to expect because I’ve tried to see as little as possible online to keep it a surprise when I visit, but I must say that I’m very curious and can’t wait to go. This is definitely one of the places I have to see during my Erasmus in Northern Ireland.
Botanic gardens: Among the places I would definitely like to visit in Belfast are the Botanic Gardens. They inspire me a lot because they seem like a peaceful corner in the middle of the city, perfect for taking a break from the chaos and relaxing a little. I’ve seen some photos of the park and the Palm House, a Victorian-style glass greenhouse, and it really looks like a special place. I’d love to go for a walk there, maybe on a sunny day (hopefully there will be some!), and enjoy a bit of nature. I think it’s also a nice way to see a different side of Belfast, a greener and quieter one. What’s more, the gardens are close to my accommodation, about a ten-minute walk away, so it would be nice to visit them at the weekend. There’s also the Ulster Museum located within the park itself, so I could see both the botanical gardens and the museum in one day.
Belfast Castle: Another place I hope to visit during my Erasmus placement is Belfast Castle. It is located just outside the city centre, at the foot of Cave Hill, and from what I have read, it offers spectacular views of the city. For this reason alone, it is worth a visit! I would like to go there because, as I mentioned earlier, I really like castles, but also to take a walk in the gardens around the castle, which look very well-kept and peaceful. It seems like the perfect place to spend a few hours outdoors, surrounded by nature and history, and perhaps even take some beautiful photos. It is definitely a stop I want to include in my itinerary while I am here.
Local Pubs: During my time in Belfast, I would also like to visit some local pubs, as I have seen that there are many of them. As well as being a fun and relaxing activity to do with friends, it would also be a great way to learn more about the local culture and chat with local people to better my English comprehension and fluency.
In conclusion, I am truly grateful for this opportunity to grow. Being able to participate in the Erasmus programme in Belfast is a great privilege. Every day, I try to learn something new, observe, ask questions and challenge myself. I hope this learning plan will help me stay focused on my goals and measure the progress I will make in the coming weeks. Thank you to everyone who is making this possible and to all the people who are accompanying me on this journey. If you are considering Erasmus, a work placement abroad or travelling I would encourage you to just go, without fear.
About Me: My name is Andrea, I am 18 years old and I come from Vacallo, Switzerland. I attend CPT in Trevano, where I am studying Computer Engineering, Programming and Internet Networks.
About Erasmus: I am currently doing an Erasmus traineeship in Belfast, Northern Ireland, thanks to a project coordinated by my school. I am completing my traineeship at Watson & Co. Chartered Marketing, a business founded by Chartered Marketer Christine Watson.
About Intern Europe: My Erasmus traineeship here in Belfast is coordinated by Intern Europe, an international team passionate about delivering work experiences in Belfast. In cooperation with European partners and local host organisations they organise work placements as part of a culture and language experience.
About Watson & Co. Chartered Marketing, my host employer in Belfast: Watson & Co. Chartered Marketing is a marketing consultancy and training company established by multi-award-winning and industry-experienced Chartered Marketer Christine Watson in April 2005.
Christine Watson