
Samuel Riaño
Samuel Riaño
Class Year
’26
Hometown
Bogotá, Colombia
Major(s)
Finance, Marketing
Minor(s)
Economics
A recipient of the International Student Scholarship, Samuel Riaño ’26 has turned his dream of studying abroad into reality. Originally from Colombia, the finance and marketing major says he’s felt Carthage’s warmth and support from day one. From experiencing snow for the first time as a freshman to taking advantage of every academic and cultural opportunity, Samuel embraces everything Carthage has to offer. “The scholarship has helped me pursue all my goals and motivates me to have a successful future,” he says.
Beyond the classroom, Samuel has continued to make his mark at Carthage through his involvement on campus. He’s a member of the , the founder and president of the , and an active participant in the . Samuel also works for the College’s Aspire Program for career development, gaining valuable hands-on experience. “The Aspire Program has provided great support for my professional growth — from improving my résumé and helping me search for internships to giving me real-world experience as a student representative,” he says. “It’s even allowed me to attend business events that align with my interests and career goals.”
See resources for international students
Why Carthage?
“I chose Carthage because the College gave me the opportunity to continue playing soccer at a higher level while simultaneously pursuing my degree. Beyond athletics, I was excited about going to college abroad. I was impressed by the strong references I received regarding Carthage’s reputation. I particularly liked the campus location, the business focus, and great networking potential. Coming to Carthage was about pushing myself to achieve a higher level academically, athletically, and personally.”
Favorite class
“Introduction to Social Media Marketing was one of the classes I enjoyed the most. It was very up-to-date, and we experienced a lot with AI. I also had the opportunity of attending IMPACT Live, where I met Marcus Sheridan and other entrepreneurs at his book launch, Endless Customers 2.0. This experience was an invaluable, real-world extension of what we learned in class.”
Internships or campus employment
“I work on campus as a public relations and marketing representative for The Aspire Program. This role allows me to directly apply classroom knowledge and use real-world campaign techniques to promote events around the College.”
Career goal
“I aim to use my strong foundation in finance to become a financial analyst or investment banker at a top firm. I plan to combine this expertise with a deep understanding of marketing and AI applications to innovate within the finance industry. I also want to launch my own business that utilizes these combined skills.”
Favorite spot on campus
“ is where I practice soccer almost every day and play in games. As someone completely obsessed with the sport, the field is truly the most meaningful spot for me at Carthage.”
Favorite memory
“My favorite memory is the first day I arrived on campus. My soccer coach picked me up along with two Colombian teammates, and we had dinner outside The Caf, which had a nice view of the lake. That day was truly unforgettable and immediately made Carthage feel like home.”
Best study tip
“My best study tip is to trick your brain into maximum focus by creating a personal study spot. Remove all distractions, grab a drink, put your headphones on, and concentrate on one task at a time.”
Best tip for making friends
“Join clubs and stay active in campus events. This is the easiest way to immediately find people with similar interests. Make an effort to eat with your peers in The Caf or the Campbell Student Union. Attend your RA’s floor programs and connect with your neighbors. You will be surprised by how many things you have in common with others.”
What would your 8-year-old self think of you now?
“My 8-year-old self would be amazed that I’m living in another country, immersed in a different culture, and taking all my college classes in another language. He also would enjoy that I still have the same passion and love for soccer.”