Camille Terre is a graduate student on the UIS women's cross country and track & field teams. She is from Annecy Lake, a city in the French Alps where residents swim in the summer and ski in the winter. Running isn't her only athletic interest, Camille loves hiking, skiing, climbing peaks, and riding her bike. She joined the UIS XC/track program at the same time she started her master's degree in communication.
What is your major? Communication
What was it like volunteering at the Olympic Games? Volunteering for swimming at the Paris Olympics was the experience of a lifetime! I got to rub shoulders with the world's best swimmers, their coaches and the rest of their team. My mission was to accompany one of the medalists from the end of the race to the press conference. This included TV interviews, changing for the protocol ceremony at their camp, the podium and the press conference. I was able to chat with some really nice athletes while witnessing lots of world records!
What are your favorite aspects of sports and why? The social aspect is the most important to me because you can bond with people who share your passions, or even play sports with close friends and family.
Who is your inspiration and why? My grandfather. I've never heard him complain, and growing up in a post-war period in a large family where you had to become independent very quickly is not easy. He taught me that everything in life has to be earned, and that values such as respect and kindness are fundamental to becoming a good person.
What is your favorite non-athletic memory at UIS? The bonfire during Homecoming week, where we got to grill smores. I discovered this snack which I really liked and the general atmosphere was really friendly. Plus, there were fireworks :)
What is your favorite athletics memory at UIS? Every practice, every trip, every track meet contributes to creating wonderful memories. Being able to cheer on my friends as they race, helping each other out, enjoying the 6 a.m. sunrises makes me realize how lucky I am to be here. The fact that everyone is so kind to me makes me feel 100% myself. I'm living the dream I came here for, and that's my best memory
Why did you choose UIS? I chose UIS because it was a partnership with my French university. The environment is completely different from my hometown, which is a change of scenery in a good way. I also wanted a small university that wasn't in the middle of a big city, so I felt more comfortable and could live the real American dream experience.
Who is your favorite UIS professor and why? My favorite professor is Marcel Yoder. His sports psychology class is one of the best classes I've had at school. His pedagogy is very concrete and diversified. I've learned so much about the mental aspect of sport that I regularly apply the stress reduction techniques he taught me. On top of that, he's a very empathetic and compassionate person.
What do you want your lasting legacy to be as a student-athlete at UIS? As the first international student on the team, I'd like to be remembered for the open-mindedness everyone showed towards me. This curiosity and intention to be comprehensive and patient towards someone from another country with a different culture.