Aarish Riaz

Aarish Riaz

Aarish Riaz (Karachi, Pakistan) never expected he’d become a seasoned kayaker and rockclimber, but it only took a few days at Allegheny College for him to begin exploring those interests. After an exhilarating climbing and whitewater-rafting trip with the Allegheny Outing Club, Aarish realized he had found a new passion.

“I love the outdoors because the school of nature can never get boring,” he says. “Each trip has it own different character, and the learning opportunities are infinite.”

At Allegheny, Aarish has combined his academic interests in economics and computer science with an array of opportunities beyond the classroom. He’s become a trip leader in the Outing Club and taken up biking, snowshoeing, backpacking and cross-country skiing. He’s also vice president of the College’s International Club and the Islamic Awareness Society.
Last spring, Aarish participated in an Alternative Spring Break trip to a Native American reservation in upstate New York. He had the opportunity to experience the history and culture of the Seneca people while lending a hand with various construction projects on the reservation.

“Never did I realize that I had the potential to do all these things,” says Aarish. “Allegheny has taught me to go out of my comfort zone while preparing me for my career and future. That’s the beauty of Allegheny.”