Coppell High School senior Santiago Ceniceros’s passion for traveling is fueled by his family. Ceniceros has traveled to many countries in hopes of broadening worldviews and learning about various cultures. During winter break, Ceniceros traveled to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and India. 

What is a major difference you notice between the United States and countries you have visited?

The people in India are definitely nicer. They treat you better. Going there, you see how lucky you are to have the things you have here. [My family and I] went to an orphanage. They have so many kids in India and it’s so overpopulated, especially when they have special needs. [The orphanage] picks kids up and take care of them. You can just tell how lucky you are to be in the [United States]. 

What is a memorable experience while visiting the orphanage?

The kids [were the most memorable]. One of them just started singing “Volare” by Frank Sinatara. The lyrics weren’t perfect, but she was really good. I’ll never forget that. 

What was the best part of your winter break trip?

Dubai because I went skydiving. I had gone skydiving when I was 15, 16 in Mexico. I asked the skydiving instructor in [Mexico], “What’s the youngest person you have ever jumped with?” He said a 7-year-old. [In Mexico], my sister [former Sidekick photography editor and 2018 CHS graduate Ale Ceniceros] asked if I wanted to go skydiving that morning and I said sure. [In Dubai], I had planned [skydiving] beforehand. I wanted to see the Palm Islands [a group of islands off of Dubai shaped in a palm tree] from above. 

How has your traveling impacted you?

They made me more open-minded. They allowed me to relate myself to other cultures. Especially in America, since it is so diverse, I can relate to a lot of people. I can say, “Oh, you have been to India? I just went to India and I learned about your culture.” 

What are some of your earliest memories of traveling? 

When I was 12, I went to Italy. There was this chain of islands off the coast of Italy called Cinque Terre. It’s probably my favorite place I have been to. It’s beautiful and very colorful. 

Are there any countries you would like to revisit?

Iceland. There were almost full days of sunlight. There was beautiful scenery everywhere you went. There were geysers, icebergs and the bluest waters you have ever seen. I went scuba diving between two continents where the water was perfectly clear and you could see everything. 

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