WorldWide Terps

WorldWide Terps is a student-athlete group with the goal of helping international athletes face the challenges associated with studying and competing in a country away from home. 

The organization was established during the 2018-19 academic year and looked to build a community where international Terps can feel they have a home away from home and help facilitate personal growth. On top of assisting international student-athletes during school, the group also looks to help with transitioning into life in the United States after college. 

Whether it is continuing their athletic career or beginning their career in a new industry after school, WorldWide Terps look to set up their athletes for success in life. 

Like many international athletes that come to compete for Maryland, Ashley Germain, current president of Worldwide Terps, had her own path. Growing up in Canada, Germain always had a passion for running, and after great success in running at home, she began to set her sights bigger.

"Over the years, I realized that I wanted to continue my career in the U.S. Track here is so much bigger, and the opportunity to compete against different teams and travel to different places excited me."

It was in her junior year that Germain got involved in World Wide Terps. She benefited from the guidance she received and now looks to give back. 

"I remember being a freshman and I didn't know how to do my taxes," Germain said. "I didn't know how to get my social security number. I didn't know how to get internships. I didn't know any of that."

"I just enjoy really helping people and I wish that I knew about the program sooner because I would've been in it freshman year," she added. 

Karla Elena Vázquez Setzer, Vice President of World Wide Terps, transferred to Maryland from UNC-Charlotte in the fall of 2021. She grew up in Mexico and came to the United States to play golf. Like Germain, Vázquez Setzer's time with World Wide Terps has been primarily driven by trying to give back and helping international athletes like she was helped when she came to Maryland. 

"I applied to be WorldWide Terps Vice President and I got the position," Vázquez Setzer said. "I could not be more excited to be able to help this many people through the organization."

Vázquez Setzer and Germain, both in leadership positions, have the opportunity to work with each other.

Vázquez Setzer said, "We worked as a team and analyzed what issues could be sold and how we could support international student-athletes."

Vázquez Setzer and Germain pointed to taxes as a big problem international student-athletes face. 

"There is also the legal matter of being in the U.S.," Vázquez Setzer added. "Right now, our biggest project is taxes. That's true for every international student-athlete," Vázquez Setzer said. 

For all college students, learning how to pay taxes and dealing with other forms of payment can be challenging to understand. Navigating the legal side of being an international student while competing in athletics can be an even more significant challenge for international Terps. The program looks to educate student-athletes on these topics and pushes to help them navigate through these issues. However, there is another side to Worldwide Terps.

"It's more than just advising with legal matters and living in the U.S. It's more of a community and in Maryland Made it's all about having fun," Vázquez Setzer said.

As part of that initiative to have fun and provide a sense of community, WorldWide Terps held a Holiday Dinner event for international student-athletes this past fall. This was one of the first events Vázquez Setzer and Germain organized.

"At the time, I just saw everybody and I thought that had been the best moment we have had as a community so far. Especially because not everyone gets to go back home for the Thanksgiving break. So, that's what we did to make them feel like they have a family here," Vázquez Setzer said.

The program is there to help international athletes navigate their time at the University of Maryland, but Germain touched on the fact that it also serves more. 

"I feel like it is the only program there really is for international student-athletes… we touch on different things like life after college. It's not just about undergrad. It's a program that provides an overall view of life in college and after college."

Unfortunately, only some athletes will go on to play their sport professionally. The transition to working in their new career is another part of WorldWide Terps that is there to help its members succeed.

"Either way, I would like to stay here (in the U.S.). But to do that I will need all of the skills that Maryland Made has given me," Vázquez Setzer said. 

The program is open to all international student-athletes to join. Both Germain and Vázquez Setzer hope for all international Terps to take advantage of the program's resources. 

Germain voiced the message, "It starts with one meeting. I would say to these people that just come to one or two meetings to get a feel of the program. At the end of the day, it is here to help you. You are never going to come into a meeting and feel like you wasted your time. Everyone can benefit from it."