Becca's big adventure

Becca Ebert has frolicked among elephant seals in Antarctica, slept under the stars in a Jordanian desert and walked along the Great Wall of China -- and she is only 16 years old. The Eden Prairie High School student has already been to all 50 states and seven continents. Her parents, Jon and Jody Ebert, decided in 1999 to use Jon's quickly accumulating frequent-flyer miles to bring their three children, including Monica, 21, and Bryan, 19, to every state in the United States and every continent on Earth. They attained that goal in 2005 when they traveled to Antarctica and continue to travel together today, provided the place is new to them and can be reached using frequent-flyer miles. Jon and Jody hoped to give their children invaluable experiences seeing the world and to build lasting family memories. Becca recently shared some thoughts about her travels.

Q You must be one of the most traveled 16-year-olds in the world. How have your experiences traveling shaped or affected your life at home as a high school student?

A Because of our travels, I am conscious of things around the world and don't just focus on Eden Prairie. I try to branch out, keep up on world events and have a consciousness of the world around me.

Q You just returned from a trip to Israel, Jordan and Istanbul. What memory sticks out the most?

A In Jordan, we visited the ancient city of Petra. It was so surreal. Also in Jordan we had a desert tour. Sleeping in the desert on mattresses in the sand under the best stars I have ever seen in my life was just amazing.

Q I know it must be difficult to choose just one destination, but where do you suggest everyone travel to if they can?

A I think Greece was just so beautiful with the water and the contrast of the buildings with the colorful shutters. It just was a really cool atmosphere. I also would recommend places in Africa like Tanzania, where you can visit tribes and see people living life without all of the extra amenities many of us have today.

Q Can you tell us about an experience where you might have been uncomfortable or things did not go as planned?

A One time in China we were at the market. My dad has a travel rule that you never ride in unmarked taxis. However, it was getting late and we were getting wet in the rain, so we hailed down this white taxi van. This van was a stick shift and the driver did not know how to drive it as well as hoped, so there were times where we almost hit the concrete median. Halfway through the ride the driver put his seat belt on, which is never a good sign. My dad called the hotel and we ended up walking back, but I remember being really scared!

Q What tips or advice would you have for other teenagers or young people traveling?

A My No. 1 tip to travelers is to not take too many pictures. When you go to a place and you're so focused on getting pictures, you end up seeing that place through a camera lens instead of just experiencing it. You miss out on the feelings you get when you are there. When taking pictures, take them to remember things, but don't worry so much about them that you miss out on the experience of where you are.

Q How do you think your experiences traveling will affect your life choices after you graduate high school and enter adulthood?

A Currently my plan is to hopefully become a doctor and join Doctors Without Borders to travel to places that don't have adequate medical care.

Q These journeys must have at times put you in close quarters with the rest of your family. How have your travels impacted your relationships with them?

A I have gotten a lot closer to my brother, sister and my parents, especially these last few years of traveling. I think to get along while on a trip with other people you need to be more laid back and let little things go.

Q Any ideas of where you and your family will decide to travel next?

A We went to Australia when I was too young to go scuba diving and climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, so I would like to go back there and then maybe go to New Zealand and Tahiti. I also would like to go to South Africa and Madagascar.

Jennifer Knutson is a freelance writer living in Minneapolis.