Julian, New Jersey.
This semester, I have been experiencing life in Northern Ireland like a true local. From filming and exploring for a national social media campaign to collaborating with small businesses, I have been fully immersed in the culture that makes this country so unique. Through the Celtic Catalyst Program with Europe Gap Year, I have had the opportunity to work with Tourism Northern Ireland, creating social media content such as filming and editing videos, as well as writing blogs and Facebook posts. From exploring cities with rich histories like Derry~Londonderry and Belfast to scenic landscapes along the Causeway Coast and countryside, the experience has felt more like travel and exploration than any traditional projects I have ever worked on.
That said, the Celtic Catalyst Program has pushed me far outside my comfort zone in ways my previous internships or school projects have not. The variety of tasks has challenged me to think creatively, develop my social media and communication skills, and become proficient in content production. These areas are completely new to me and have helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Early in the program, our first meeting with Tourism NI had us travel from our home base in Portrush to the agency’s headquarters in Belfast for the project brief. It was exciting to experience a new professional environment, meet the team, and see the behind-the-scenes objectives and workings of a national tourism campaign. This briefing set the stage for the hands-on work that followed.
The clips I produced highlight not only the final social media content but also the creative process behind it. They include brainstorming, professional workshops on filming and interviewing (such as with a local business), and sessions on editing our short-form videos. Throughout this process, I strengthened my communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, working closely with others to develop and carry out our ideas. We also had ample opportunities to use exciting equipment for our projects, such as capturing drone footage or gathering content at Dunluce Castle and above Whiterocks Beach on e-bikes. As much as I loved developing more work experience, nothing compares to the traveling we did and the chance to explore Northern Ireland in such a hands-on way.
Overall, the Celtic Catalyst Program has been an unparalleled experience in my life, providing me with an equal mix of professional development and true cultural immersion. I have gained practical experience in content creation, social media management, and storytelling, while also strengthening my adaptability, initiative, and time management skills through maintaining the independence to manage and direct my own projects.
