Mark Owens is originally from Derry~Londonderry, and took part in the Study USA programme from 1998-99. He now lives in Cleveland Ohio with his wife Maria and his two kids: Eamon and Lillian. He is a past student of Belfast Metropolitan College and studied BSc Fashion and Production Management. He now works for Team NEO (Northeast Ohio Region) and is the first-ever Honorary Consul of Ireland for Ohio.
“At the time of applying to the programme, I thought it was just a way to pad out my CV and help me get a job when I returned home to Derry. I was working at the Desmond’s clothing factory and saw it as a great way to get onto their leadership programme, so my intention was to stay for just the nine months. But somewhere along the way, I realised that this experience was opening doors I hadn’t anticipated. Halfway through the year, I saw the opportunities here and knew I wasn’t just preparing to go back home—I was creating a future in the US.
“When I returned to Derry, the American dream was always on my mind. I started interviewing for jobs in the US, and I was lucky enough to land a role at Enterprise Rent-a-Car. It turned out to be one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. They enrolled me in their management training programme, and it taught me everything about business — setting the foundation for a career in leadership. From there, I kept progressing, and there was no looking back.
“A year later, I met my wife, Maria, and we’ve now built a life together with our two kids—Lillian and Eamon. As time went on, I found myself more deeply embedded in the Irish community in Cleveland. I got roped into playing for the local GAA club, Cleveland St. Pat’s, and even started hosting an Irish radio show for a few years. It was something I never expected, but over time, I became more involved in Irish culture and traditions. One of my biggest regrets is not learning the Irish language.
“The university I attended — John Carroll University — had an amazing alumni programme, which had a lasting impact on me. In fact, it’s the first place I took my daughter for her first college visits. She’s a junior in high school now and starting to think about her college options.
“Even though I became a US citizen in 2011, I still feel more Irish than ever. I introduce myself as Irish, and I’ll always fly the Irish flag first. I try to go home at least three or four times a year, and I was back in Derry with my family over Christmas. I’m always looking for ways to connect Ohio to Northern Ireland through my job and will be bringing a delegation to Belfast in early April exploring business opportunities and ways to strengthen ties between Northeast Ohio.
“The connection between business, education, and culture remains important to me, and I was honoured to be appointed as the first-ever Honorary Consul to Ohio in 2023, helping to foster those connections.
“Looking back, the Study USA programme was life changing. I never intended to stay in the US long-term, but that experience gave me the chance to view the world differently and altered the course of my career. The programme was the catalyst for everything that followed.”