**Young Adventurer Aims to Break World Record for Visiting Every Country**
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At just 21 years old, Sophia Lee is on the brink of achieving a remarkable milestone: she is poised to become the youngest person to visit every country in the world. Her journey began at the tender age of 13 when a solo trip to Costa Rica ignited her passion for travel and prompted her to pursue a world record.
Initially unaware of which record to aim for, Lee’s interest solidified when she discovered the title for the youngest person to set foot in every recognised United Nations country. Although she paused the pursuit for a time, the inspiration remained alive within her as she explored over 50 countries alone. By 17, she resolved to take her goal more seriously and thus began her determined quest.
“I realised that it requires a lot of evidence and pre-planning and preparation for Guinness [World Records] to even have you qualify for a record,” Lee explained. Consequently, she had to revisit many previous destinations to gather the necessary proof of her travels. This turned out to be an arduous but vital part of her journey.
As of mid-July, Lee has traversed 189 out of the 195 countries, with just six remaining on her list. Among those remaining destinations are Chad, Mali, and Venezuela, which has been dealing with the aftermath of devastating earthquakes. “I’m hoping to wrap it up either at the end of this month or early next month,” she stated, underscoring the significance of completing her quest soon.
Lee has deliberately left the more challenging countries until the end of her journey, primarily due to the associated costs of visas and safety concerns. While Guinness World Records requires only that a person sets foot in each country, Lee has chosen to redefine what a “visit” means to her. For her, it’s about engaging in genuine experiences — tasting local cuisine, conversing with residents, and visiting significant landmarks — rather than simply ticking off a box on a list.
Among her favourite countries she has visited are Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The experiences she’s amassed throughout her travels are unparalleled, providing her with insights and memories most will never have the opportunity to encounter. Nonetheless, Lee acknowledges the sacrifices she has made along the way. “There’s definitely a lot of things I’ve missed out on,” she admits. “I’ve never had any typical school experience, and that’s a hard part to deal with when you’re travelling for many years.”
Instead of school dances and family gatherings, Lee has cultivated a network of friends from various corners of the globe. “I have friends in India, Ghana, and all over the world,” she shares. The ability to connect with individuals from diverse cultures has enriched her life, allowing her to experience the kindness and hospitality found across the globe.
For anyone inspired to follow in her footsteps, Lee offers sage advice: “Honestly, I’d say the world is a lot less scary than it seems in the media. The more you start to travel, the more you see that there are so many genuinely kind and welcoming people in every country and from every culture.”
As she nears the completion of her ambitious journey, Sophia Lee exemplifies youthful determination and the spirit of exploration, reminding us all of the vast and welcoming nature of our world. Her hope is that by sharing her experiences, she can encourage others to embrace travel and the opportunities for connection that it brings.