Sara Hough has worked with Hemisphere Travel for almost a decade. She started as an Educational Account Executive right after graduating from college, then was promoted to Senior Educational Account Executive. Sara works primarily with the Springfield market.
Q. What is your favorite part of your job?
A. Researching new sites, restaurants and destinations. It’s exciting to learn about new places and imagine how the students will react when they get there.
Q. Where is your favorite destination?
A. Really hard to choose, but I’ll say Boston. My favorite thing about that city is seeing a small historic building nestled in between huge modern skyscrapers. It’s the perfect mix of history and fun.
Q. What is your most treasured travel memory, or the best thing you’ve learned?
A. Traveling on my own, to a new destination for the first time. It was right after college and I was going on my first business trip, to Atlanta. I was so nervous! What I learned is to just enjoy the discovery—wander, explore, get lost. It will all work out, and you’ll grow and learn from the experience.
Q. What’s the best thing you’ve eaten while traveling?
A. Tostones—twice-fried plantains—in Puerto Rico. They are amazing!
Q. If you were stranded in an airport, what three things would you want with you?
A. My phone, of course. Sunglasses, so I can people-watch. A blanket, because airports are always FREEZING!
Q. If you could run into anyone famous—fictional or nonfictional, historical or mythical—during travel, who would you want it to be?
A. Abraham Lincoln. I’ve learned a lot about him, planning so many Springfield trips over the years. He was very into the supernatural, so I’d like to think he would choose to “haunt” the town now and then.
Q. What is your favorite mode of transportation?
A. Airplane. It never ceases to amaze me that we are actually flying through the air in a giant metal tube. Plus, air travel is so exotic! I love watching people in airports and trying to guess where they’re going.
Q. What destination on your bucket list would you most like to visit?
A. Paris. I studied French for seven years, middle school through college. I’d like to test my knowledge and see if I could get by without requesting any English translation.
Q. What’s your favorite activity while traveling, or something you’ve always wanted to try?
A. I’ve always wanted to try snorkeling, but I am terrified of sharks and open water. We’ll see if I can ever overcome those …
Q. What do you love about travel?
A. The memories. When someone names a city you’ve been to, it will always trigger a memory: Who you saw. What you ate. Where you went.
Written by Hemisphere Educational Travel