Columbian model obtains success in China

Santiago models at ChinaJoy 2017, otherwise known as the 15th China Digital Entertainment Expo and Conference in Shanghai, on July 27. [Photo/VCG]

Santiago Arenas Henao, a graduate of Marketing from EAFIT University in Columbia, fell in love with China after being advised by his modeling agency to move to the nation in 2014. He is from Medellin, Columbia's second largest city, and his family works in real estate.

Currently, Santiago models for an internet firm and has worked in a range of Chinese cities, including Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanning, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing and Xi'an.

"I like Chinese buildings and food, with Chinese features, such as fired scorpion," he said, adding his first Chinese phrase is "bu chi la", which means no spicy food.

While modeling takes up a majority of Santiago's time, he said he plans to start his own business after figuring out China's business environment as he believes he will have a prosperous future in the country.