Senior Lauren Phillps has been given opportunities to travel to four countries and a countless number of states over the course of a few years.

“Traveling is important because it allows you to open your eyes to other cultures. You can become a more worldly person and accepting of other people,” Phillips said.

Phillips acquired her love for traveling from her grandmother.

“My grandmother had traveled to Africa and founded a school for children there. She came back with a bunch of pictures that really inspired me,” Phillips said.

Phillips has been to fifty-four airports in total. Hawaii, Nevada, North and South Carolina, Colorado, California, Oregon, Illinois and Alabama are among the states that Phillips has traveled to, along with Spain, England, Italy and Mexico.

“The southern coast of Spain was interesting. I got lost in the airport and forgot all of the Spanish that I learned in school. It was kind of overwhelming,” Phillips said.

Phillips also added, “When I was in Las Vegas it was very fascinating to see all the people walking around. I think I saw a couple of brides and grooms and definitely saw some people under the influence.”

Phillips’ trips haven’t only been for sightseeing and vacationing. She went on a trip to Mexico as a volunteer to help some of the poorer areas.

“A lot of people were living in huts with dirt floors. I actually wrote my college essay on this trip because it influenced me to help people, and volunteering is something that I really enjoy doing now.”

Phillips dreams of traveling to Thailand in the future and hopes to live somewhere in Europe when she is older.

“Because I’m majoring in international business, I hope to travel and live out of my suitcase for a while,” Phillips said.