Global connections: Hugo Gabriel Rayas’ Clemson Experience

The Clemson Family can be found around the globe, including in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. That's where Hugo Gabriel Rayas, a junior economics major, first heard about Clemson from his next-door neighbors, who just happened to be Clemson alumni.

"One day, I was talking to [my neighbors], and they mentioned Clemson," Gabriel Rayas says. "They spoke about the atmosphere, the opportunity and the football games and said I had to experience it."

So, after researching and learning a little about southern hospitality and the great weather, Gabriel Rayas decided to enroll at Clemson's Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business to pursue a degree in economics. Economics, Gabriel Rayas says, appealed to him because of the data analytics side. "I'm passionate about using data from a business to solve its problems and make impactful decisions for the future of that business. It's an immense field that combines creativity, technology and continuous learning, which are things I really enjoy."

As an economics student, Thomas Andrew Evans, professor of economics, has made a significant impact on Gabriel Rayas during his first two years here. "I was fortunate enough to have Professor Evans for both microeconomics and econometrics. They're both difficult courses with hard material, but he was amazing at breaking down concepts and explaining in a way students could understand."

During his first year as a student, Gabriel Rayas made an effort to see what Clemson was all about. He attended football games and spoke to as many people as possible. His second year, Gabriel Rayas joined Delta Sigma Pi (DSP), a business fraternity, where he met some of his closest friends and found a supportive community that helped him through some of the challenges that come with being an international student, like homesickness. This year, he was elected as the Director of IT within the fraternity for this upcoming academic year.

In addition to being involved on campus, Gabriel Rayas has also interned with Digital Commerce Group, a company he has worked with for two summers. He most recently was a student analyst on the acquiring team for the Canadian company and also gained experience in other areas like IT and accounting.

His favorite memory he has made at Clemson so far is his first football game. "Coming from a different country, football was new to me. But seeing all generations of Clemson fans in orange watching the game and seeing how deeply each person felt about the sport was an amazing and unique experience. It brings people together."

Gabriel Rayas is looking forward to this year as a business student and encourages other international students to make the most of their experience. "The biggest piece of advice I have is to talk to people. Join clubs and organizations you're passionate about, but most of all, be patient. Everything comes with time."