Treetop Travel Journalism - Berlin

Diego González García

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to join TTJ's journalism course in Berlin, which focused on creating a travel magazine, and it was a wonderful experience!

First of all, the project itself was amazing. Collaborating with other international students to create a magazine was super exciting. Nadja, our journalism teacher, was a total gem. She gave us constructive feedback that really elevated our articles and guided us to turn our scattered ideas into solid, publishable pieces.

Wiebke, our German teacher, was also wonderful. Her classes were not only helpful but also fun, as she often made us play games to better understand the language.

The accommodation was great, too. We stayed in two spacious flats in a peaceful, beautiful residential area. The location was perfect—close enough to the city "center" and well-connected to subway lines, but quiet enough to relax. The flat owners were super friendly, and the price was surprisingly affordable for Berlin.

If you're considering joining, do it. You won’t regret it. ?✨

Wiebke Lorenzen

Hiii, I am the German teacher of this project and I appreciate the work with these young international students very much.
I see "firsthand" that the students also appreciate the project, learn a lot and love to experience Berlin this way.
Once in a while also we go outside to learn German with informations tailored to the student's level.
The fotos show some examples: A visit to a museum, the grave of the Brothers Grimm and also the famous Tempelhof Airport.
You are welcome!

Berenika Serwatka

Spending a month in Berlin with TTJ was more than just experiencing Germany’s capital — it gave me a deeper dive into journalism. I found the podcast session on the importance of dialogue incredibly inspiring and useful for my further work. A big highlight was the mentorship from Nadja Vancauwenberghe, ExBerliner co-founder, who pushed us to connect with locals and create some great interview pieces. The supportive atmosphere throughout the programme made it comfortable to ask questions and share ideas. Plus, the German classes helped me sharpen my language skills and were a lot of fun, much like discovering the city's many layers through hours-long solo explorations.

Harriet Fowler

It was a really enjoyable month working on the magazine and having the freedom to explore Berlin. Will was very helpful in guiding our progress in the magazine, and found us such cool things to do - the underground art project in the flats was definitely a highlight, and such a unique experience! Thank you for everything!

Ekaterina Poroshkina

I had the incredible opportunity to participate in TTJ’s July 2024 program, and as for someone with no journalism background it was truly a rewarding experience.
One of the exceptional aspects was the guidance provided by Nadja Vancauwenberghe, the founder of the “Exberliner Magazine” and a highly skilled editor. At the beginning, I wasn’t entirely sure about her role in the team, but it very soon became clear. With her amount of experience as a writer, Nadja expertly guided us through the complexity of the “writing journey,” helping us with pitching and editing of our articles. Her feedback was invaluable, pointing out what needed to be added or removed, always with an eye toward improving the clarity and impact of our work.
Another highlight of the course was the diverse group of participants. Coming from different countries, everyone brought their unique stories and perspectives to the table, making discussions rich and intriguing. It was inspiring to learn from others’ experiences and exchange ideas about journalism on a larger scale.
As for the “background”, Berlin itself was more than just a setting – it was an indispensable part of the program. The city’s rich history combined with its energy allowed us to connect with our topics in an authentic and dynamic environment.
From the logistics point of view, the organization of the program was excellent, thanks to the efforts of the manager – Will. He ensured that everything ran smoothly: from helping us to find well-located accommodations to suggesting must-see sights around Berlin. Will also arranged guided tours that added depth to the time in the city. His support didn’t stop there – he played a considerable role in helping us edit and finalize the content for the magazine we made.
Overall, TTJ’s July course exceeded much more than my expectations, offering not only personal growth but also a chance to connect with talented individuals.

James Hills

Had the best month out in Berlin this August. Super immersive experience, Will led the whole creation of the magazine so well and is a top dude, and it was great to have some pro tips from journalist Nadja Vancauwenberghe to help tie our articles together. Also managed to learn some German with the lovely Wiebke too!! If there are any budding writers out there looking for an interesting and unique experience, TTJ has it all. Thanks!!!

Peggy Hughes

What an amazing experience! I got to work on the latest magazine, reporting on sites around Berlin and interviewing underground travel experts. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and Will was a fantastic editor - positive, constructive and with a keen eye for the wacky side of Berlin. Would recommend to anyone looking to get a foot in the door of journalism.

Wilhelmina Martha

This is such an amazing course. You get to know the coolest city, whilst meeting such interesting people. Creating the magazine is such an incredible experience: you learn so much about writing and design (skills that will be so useful going forward). German lessons are also so helpful (and with the best German teacher!) The creative freedom you are given to input your own ideas is also insane - you get make the magazine your own and its such a cool feeling seeing what you have created at the end! Will is amazing throughout - he will get you settled, give the best advice on where to go and provide guidance on writing/layout. Couldn’t recommend enough!