World Wide Terps: Reflecting On Experiences & Sharing Advice

Maryland Athletics has 13 international student-athletes graduating during the 2025 spring and summer sessions. 

Many of the international student-athletes came to Maryland and attended school in the United States for the first time. They’ve overcome challenges in adjusting to life in the U.S. and have still succeeded in the classroom and their respective sports.  

The graduating international student-athletes include: men's soccer’s William Kulvik (Oslo, Norway), Alex Nitzl (Munich, Germany), Max Rogers (Sydney, Australia), Chris Steinleitner (Munich, Germany) and Bjarne Thiesen (Kiel, Germany); tennis’s Selma Cadar (Bucharest, Romania), Francesca Feodorov (Constanta, Romania) and Danielle Hack (Surrey, England); field hockey’s Alina Gerke (Hamburg, Germany); women's golf’s Panassaya Somchit (Bangkok, Thailand); men's golf’s Flo Heurlimann (Heidelberg, Germany); women's basketball’s Emma Chardon (Geneva, Switzerland); and women's track and field’s Emma Pegg (Chatham, Ontario). 

Several responded to the following questions, reflecting on their experiences and sharing advice.

1. What will you cherish most about your time at Maryland? 

2. What advice do you have for future international student-athletes at Maryland? 

3. What do you want your teammates or coaches to remember most about you?

4. How have you changed as a person since coming to the U.S.?

Francesca Feodorov | Tennis | Constanta, Romania 

1. I will cherish the opportunities Maryland gave me to grow through both success and failure. Being part of the tennis team taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of carving my own path. I’ve never been the loudest in the room, but being a student-athlete helped me find my voice. Over the past four years, I’ve been incredibly lucky — the professors, advisors, coaches, and medical staff helped shape who I am today. But what I will carry with me most are the friendships I built along the way. Some of my teammates became my closest friends, standing by me through both the highs and the lows. Their support made all the difference. More than anything, their presence made this journey meaningful.

2. Trust yourself. Your experience will be uniquely your own. Stay connected to who you are beyond the sport, and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself when needed. Growth often happens outside your comfort zone, and it’s important to remember that you have a life outside your sport, and that life is beautiful and worth exploring too. Maryland offers more than just academic and athletic opportunities. It offers a community that supports you if you’re willing to reach for it. 

3. That I stayed true to myself, and that I cared deeply about the team. That even the hardest losses stayed with me, not as failures, but as part of my growth. I gave what I could, in my own way, whether I was out there competing or standing quietly in the background because of injuries. Every step of the journey mattered to me. I hope they remember the heart that was always behind it and know that no matter where life takes us, I’ll always be a supporter of the team, the coaches, and my teammates. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it and for the time I got to spend with them.

4. Maryland didn’t just push me to grow — it pushed me to become louder about who I am. I learned to trust myself, to speak up, and to stand my ground even when it wasn’t easy. I became stronger, more self-reliant, and more confident in my own voice. The journey wasn’t always smooth, but every challenge shaped me into someone who no longer apologizes for taking up space. That’s the version of myself I’m most proud to carry forward, and it’s a reflection of how Maryland helped shape me beyond just the court and the classroom.

William Kulvik | Men’s Soccer | Oslo, Norway

1. I will cherish all the moments and memories I made with my friends and teammates here at Maryland on and off the field.

2. Have fun and live in the moment. Your journey will end sooner than you think. Your four years here will be the best four years of your life, so take advantage of them on and off the field.

3. I want them to remember me as a person who showed growth and excellence in my four years, and remember me as both a good teammate, but also, now that I am graduating, I want them to remember me as a brother and friend.

4. I have become a more dedicated person in many different ways. I live life in pursuit of excellence and always strive to be my best in all parts of life.

Emma Pegg | Track & Field | Chatham, Ontario

1. I will cherish the sense of community and family formed here, both on and off the track. Being a student-athlete is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that led to lifetime friendships, career-building opportunities, and countless memories I will forever cherish. 

2. I would advise any future international student-athlete to get involved in Maryland Made in any way they can. It is a great way to build community and build friendships and relationships both personally and professionally. This program has helped me not only build my resume but also my confidence and professional skills, which I will continue to use and value in my future endeavors. 

3. I want my teammates and coaches to remember the experiences and memories made together, on and off the track. I’ve also always believed we are more than just student-athletes, and I hope I’ve left an impact that reflects the importance of growth and opportunity, both professionally and personally.

4. Coming off of my four years here at Maryland, I can say I have built so much more confidence as a person and as a young professional. Being the president of Pre-Health Terps, completing both the Kubasik First Impact Program and Gossett Fellows Program, as well as every other opportunity I took part in, has allowed me to really find my voice and my passion.