Some people are satisfied with an occasional trip to Palm Springs for a virgin piña colada and a quick escape from reality. Others venture to the middle of the Peruvian jungle to live with indigenous tribes for two weeks. And the rest who fall in between, are those like senior Ana Chara.

Chara fell deeply in love with the world during her trip to China when she was 8 years old. Chara has spent the past 9 years exploring different ways of life to trying new foods in 20 different countries including Belgium, Jamaica, Liechtenstein, Russia and most recently, Jordan.

“Traveling is like an escape,” Chara said. “You get to forget about everything and you can go out in to the world and experience things you never have before. It teaches you to be accepting, nonjudgmental, and open-minded.”

During her 2014 trip to Bali, Chara found herself surrounded by a culture completely different from the one she knows at home.

“I have never met nicer people than the Balinese,” Chara said. “Their humbleness and way of making everybody feel at home is indescribable. You really have to meet these people in order to understand how kind they are.”

Located on an island in Indonesia, Bali’s popular touristic attractions like volcanic mountains and coral reefs were only a part of the overall experience.

“I was amazed by how beautiful the scenery, the beaches, the temples and just the overall feeling that being on the island gives you,” Chara said.

Summer 2015 introduced Chara to a few new continents. Beginning in southern Asia, Chara spent a few weeks in India with her father.

“India is by far the most fascinating place I have ever been to,” Chara said. “You have to see beyond the outside and look into the culture, the traditions, the food, the people. I was amazed at how gentle Indian people are, always showing respect. Many live in poor conditions, but remain happy and at peace, and that’s what I loved the most.”

Although California has a little bit of everything, Chara adopted a brand new perspective on the meaning of wealth during her time in India.

“When you go to new places, you get to see everything the world has to offer,” Chara said. ”The good, the bad, and the ugly. Traveling teaches to you to be okay with disliking certain things without having negative judgement.”

Next stop: Barcelona, Spain. Chara’s time on the Mediterranean coast provided more than just a pleasurable stay.

“I want to fully immerse myself in another culture and feel like part of the community,” Chara said. “I really fell in love with everything [in Barcelona] — the people, the language, the food so I would love to live in Spain for some time.”

Chara holds these truths to be self-evident: travelling educates in a way not even Orange County private high schools can provide.

“I believe that people with open minds get the furthest in life,” Chara said. “They do not have judgement barriers holding them back and are welcoming to everything that comes their way. I truly believe that traveling gives you this.”