Cypress Ranch sophomore student, Janiah Jones, has been given the opportunity to travel to countless different countries including Japan, Turkey, Italy, Germany, South Korea, and many states in the United States such as Louisiana, Mississippi, Virginia, Maryland, Texas, and Washington. Jones’ mother is actively involved in the Air Force which requires their  family to move according to where their mother is stationed, providing Jones with the chance to see the world.

At such a young age, Jones has experienced a wide diversity of cultures, learned several languages and lived various lifestyles. Jones has lived in the United States, Japan, and Turkey throughout her life time. When living in each country, Jones learned to speak the nation’s official language.

Speaking with Jones about moving from country to country, she explains that while it is fun to live in foreign places, it is sometimes difficult to have to rebuild her life with every move.

“It has been stressful,” Jones said. “I have to constantly make new friends and try new things.”

Jones will be moving to Kaiserslautern, Germany this upcoming December, so recently she has worked on speaking German during her free time before the move.

“I am excited to experience a new country,” Jones said. “But at the same time, I am sad I am going to have to leave Cy Ranch.”

Although the opportunity to travel and live in many different places may seem fortunate, not having stability in one place proves to be rather difficult. Jones explained that moving long distances every few years can be an inconvenience, as it tends to be hard to make lasting friendships among other things. Nevertheless, the encounters in each place become memorable life long experiences that she holds close to her heart.

“Traveling makes me more cultured,” Jones said. “But I feel like everything is so different over seas, [so] it will take a while to get used to.”