Going Global

Growing up in Montreal, Quebec, Ashley Germain had always had a passion for track and field and knew it would one day lead her to continue her studies and athletic career in the United States. 

"I was doing track at home in Montreal, and I always wanted to come to the U.S. for track, because I think track is bigger here. With Maryland, one of my coaches saw me at my Canadian Championships, and that's why I'm here."

Her journey to Maryland was unique and provided Germain with challenges. However, she also grasped the opportunity to adapt to her new environment - making Maryland her new home away from home. 

"It was not easy. What allowed me to go through it was that I knew people who went through the same process, so I was able to ask questions. I knew some people from Montreal who went to Maryland. It was kind of hard, but we had the help and the resources," said Germain.

"Growing up, everything was French at home. It was different; the culture was different. Me switching languages was something, but I liked it. I wouldn't have done anything differently."

Once she arrived in College Park, Germain quickly realized that Maryland was a place of opportunity. She would be able to grow on and off the track - maintaining success as a student, an athlete, and as a leader of the Worldwide Terps program. 

"I thought it was like in the movies because on my visit I got lost on campus. I thought it was just so big. I thought 'I'm gonna have fun, I'm gonna do great.' The band was practicing outside, it was just amazing for me. I had a good first impression."

It wasn't until her junior year that Ashley Germain decided to get involved with the Worldwide Terps program. 

It was a program amid change, looking to do good for fellow international student-athletes. Several of Germain's teammates were in the program, so she decided to take the opportunity to learn what the club was all about and finally give it a try. 

"I went to a couple of meetings last year. As the program was changing, I wanted to be a part of the change. I want to do something good for international athletes. They had some interviews for the new position of President, and I thought, 'This is my chance to shine. My chance to be a part of the change.'"

After just a few meetings, Germain was hooked, knowing that the program had the potential to help international athletes, just like her, overcome the obstacles that had once stood in her way alike. 

"Worldwide Terps is a program where everybody is welcome. We focus on international student-athletes, and our mission is to help international student-athletes get opportunities on and off the field. We want to provide them with resources to create their social security number or provide them with opportunities to get internships. It's just a bunch of things to prepare them for life after college. We're a support group for student-athletes. It's more about being there for them when they need our help."

Germain saw Worldwide Terps as an opportunity to help those who would follow in her footsteps - not just from Canada but from around the world. As she wanted to become more involved and help the program grow, Germain decided to interview for the new position of President. A position that she now holds and is looking to make great strides with Worldwide Terps. 

"It's a program that's evolving. We had the program [when I came to Maryland], but we have a bit more this year. My role would be to bring more people into the program. I want to help as many people as possible. I know being international can be very difficult at times. You have culture shocks. It's the language, it's the way people act, it's the way you need to make new friends. I want our program to be a support. To be the voice of student-athletes. I want to make sure everybody is all set."

Since becoming President, Germain has prioritized getting as many international student-athletes involved as she can while emphasizing that the program is not just about work. She takes pride in the opportunity to make the program fun, noting that the most crucial part of the program is making student-athletes feel comfortable. 

"We're going to do more events, but right now we're planning this welcome party for international students. I had this idea to bring food from different cultures like Caribbean food, Mexican food, American food, to make people feel like they're at home; just making it special for the students. That's one of the first events we're planning. The more we go, I'm going to bring more ideas." 

As Germain continues to help student-athletes overcome the struggles she had once faced while also creating a tight-knit community of international student-athletes, she hopes to encourage those not involved to try Worldwide Terps. 

"Come to a couple of meetings to see how you feel about it. We're open to anything. If people have concerns, they can come, and we can make it happen. It's really about making people comfortable. It only takes a meeting or two to get a feeling of the program."