The Honors Program provides students with a variety of signature programs to participate in throughout their time at the University of Dayton. One such program, Dublin Flyers, allows students to intern in Ireland for eight weeks during the summer. Students gain real world experience through this unique opportunity and benefit from career development, cultural immersion, and much more. One Flyer alumna, Bella Fowler, participated in the Dublin Flyers program the summer before her senior year and ended up moving to Dublin after graduating in May 2026. Bella is grateful for the opportunities provided by the Honors Program that led her to where she is today.
Bella majored in industrial engineering technology and earned a certificate in ethics and leadership. She served as president of the UD Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers Student Chapter, peer advisor for the School of Engineering Office of Student Success and was a member of the Society of Women Engineers. She chose Dayton because of “its unique Engineering Technology program, the strong sense of community on campus, and the positive experiences I had heard about from family members (including my parents and sister) who attended.”
Although Bella had never been to Ireland, she knew the country offered expanding opportunities in energy, technology, and pharmaceuticals. After internships with Honda in Ohio and Intel in Arizona, the Dublin Flyers program presented her first international work experience at CardiEnergy, an energy consultancy that helps businesses lower both their carbon footprints and energy costs. Bella learned more than she could have imagined. “I gained experience in data analytics, data visualization, client engagement, and project management while working with companies across a variety of industries.”
Her experience extended beyond professional development, giving Bella the opportunity to explore Ireland, immerse herself in the local culture, and connect with people from a variety of backgrounds and lifestyles. Her time with the Dublin Flyers inspired her to make Ireland home after graduation. Bella currently works as a graduate analyst in transmission outage planning for EirGrid, Ireland's transmission system operator. Her role focuses on the data and processes used to plan outages on the high-voltage electricity network. “It's been a great opportunity to learn about the energy industry and develop new technical skills.” She is completing a two-year graduate program with the company and plans to remain in Ireland and continue building a career with them, learning as much as she can.
“The best thing about living in Ireland is definitely the people. Everyone has been incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made settling into a new country much easier.” Outside of work, Bella enjoys taking advantage of Ireland’s many outdoor activities, including hiking, sea swimming, and exploring the beautiful coastline. Bella is one of many UD students that have had the extraordinary opportunity to travel to Dublin through the Honors Program. Her story encourages students to explore international careers and professional development. The Dublin Flyers experience has the potential to prepare students for life after graduation and opens the door to endless possibilities. You never know what could happen, you could be like Bella and move to Ireland, too!
