Marie-Claire McGreevy took part in the programme in 2012-2013, where she studied at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. She is now a co-founder of MCO Performance, a strategy execution consultancy based in Belfast – working with clients like SANY Group and Northern Ireland Screen.
She said: " Before I went to the US, I was someone who always relied on being part of a group—whether it was in university or in my personal life. I never really stepped out on my own. But through Study USA everything shifted. I had to adjust to a completely new culture, environment, and educational system, and that pushed me to become much more independent. For the first time, I had to make decisions for myself and take responsibility for my actions, without relying on others to guide me. It was a huge step in building my self-confidence.
“Living in the US made me realise how much more there was to the world than just my bubble back home. I started to trust my own judgment and became more proactive in my own growth, whether it was through my studies or the personal experiences I sought out. I was traveling across the US, taking classes I wouldn't have imagined before, and meeting people from all over the world. The programme made me see that there's so much more out there for me, and it was up to me to go after it.
“When I came home from Study USA, I felt like a different person. I went on to do an MSc in Management at Ulster University, and from there, I worked for a couple of different organisations. Eventually, a job came up at the Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall as a Marketing Campaigns Manager. I worked there for six years and was promoted to Head of Sales and Marketing as well as being awarded a place on the Professional Convention Management Association’s 20 in Their Twenties Programme which was presented at a ceremony in San Francisco. That role was a pivotal moment in my career, where I got to apply everything I had learned during my time in the US and build my confidence in a professional setting.
“Last year, my business partner Oonagh and I launched our own business, MCO Performance, and have just celebrated its first anniversary. We’ve already had the chance to work with fantastic clients like SANY Group and Northern Ireland Screen, helping businesses and individuals improve their performance through tailored coaching and commercial development programmes.
"Looking back on my business’s first year, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be where I am without the knowledge and experiences, I gained through Study USA. It gave me the confidence to embrace leadership, to trust myself, and to take those first big steps. I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come—and I know that a big part of that is thanks to the Study USA programme."