About Quest
Quest service-learning trips are a program of The Crossing, a campus ministry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison committed to service, peace, social justice, the celebration of diversity, and environmental consciousness.
Quest provides opportunities for young adults to travel in small groups to explore compelling issues both domestically and internationally. We do this by partnering with local hosts to engage with the trip's theme through service work, dialogue with our hosts and other community members, and exploration of the area as a group. We approach travel with humility and respect, and reject the notion that we can single-handedly "fix" problems in any particular region. Rather, Quest trips give us the privilege to connect in solidarity with a community, to foster relationships, and to gain knowledge and and a spark of passion which we continue to deeply engage with and share as we return home.
Quests are designed to be journeys of spiritual, intellectual, and moral growth, as well as opportunities for students to build community and long-term friendships among themselves and with those whom they meet. Quests are forums for asking big questions, witnessing and learning about the world's problems, and creating bonds between people and places.
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History
The Quest program began in the aftermath of 9/11, when the Crossing assembled a group of students interested in learning about the conflict in the Middle East. Students had the opportunity to speak with Jewish, Muslim, and Christian leaders working for peace and experience the kindness of strangers, all the while processing their adventure together as a community.
Following the success of the first Quest to Israel-Palestine, trips to other beautiful and complex parts of the world developed, including: Chiapas, Mexico; the Everglades, Florida; Costa Rica; Northern Ireland; Rome; Cambodia; Nepal; Kenya; Sri Lanka; the Badlands, North Dakota; Cuba; Honduras; Tijuana, Mexico; and Nicaragua.
Since its inception, over 450 students have traveled with the Quest program.
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Each Quest seeks:
Cultural Diversity: We go to places that offer an opportunity for participants to interact with people who have different experiences and assumptions about life, religion, politics, etc. Few Quests are “cultural immersion” experiences, but it’s important for participants to be nudged a bit out of their comfort zones.
Poignant Problems: While most places on Earth have a share of political and cultural strife or looming environmental threats, we seek Quest destinations that particularly highlight some of the most pressing problems of our time. Sometimes this means going to risky places, and sometimes to places that make you sad or angry. We try to find places that make you think, and encourage you to care.
Off the Beaten Tourist Path: We don’t key in on major tourist destinations, or try to hit all the highlights a place has to offer. We try to emphasize quality over quantity of experiences, seeking out special places and people with rare knowledge, experience, and talents to share. We don’t want anyone’s Quest to feel like just the same trip that thousands of other people have taken.
Fun: Simple and obvious, but hugely important. We look for places that participants will find beautiful, energizing, and inspiring. If the locale is a tourist hub, we try to find a way into unexplored corners so we can see the place from an angle that few others have. Quests are always playful, so we seek places that offer adventure and opportunities to kick back when the time is right.
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Quest is for you if you are...
... a University of Wisconsin-Madison student or well-qualified student from a nearby school.
...interested in challenging yourself in a new place with new people.
...adaptable and cooperative in unexpected situations.
...eager to listen compassionately to different opinions, and support others on their life journeys.
...open to seeking the Holy in the world.
...“full of life” and embrace opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun.
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Quest takes all kinds...It's OK if you're a seasoned traveler, or have never been far from home. It doesn't matter if you're a grad student, or a freshman. It's great if you've spent years pondering the big questions of life, but just as good if you haven’t given them a second thought (but are willing to give it a try!). You're welcome to have any religious or faith background, or none at all. You can be an extravert or an introvert, as long as you're willing to be your best self. We see diversity as a sign of strength within a group, and an opportunity for students to learn from each other.
We are always interested in sending a Quest group to a new place or embracing a new theme to link with a destination, so contact us if you have an idea you’d like to share.
Quest provides opportunities for young adults to travel in small groups to explore compelling issues both domestically and internationally. We do this by partnering with local hosts to engage with the trip's theme through service work, dialogue with our hosts and other community members, and exploration of the area as a group. We approach travel with humility and respect, and reject the notion that we can single-handedly "fix" problems in any particular region. Rather, Quest trips give us the privilege to connect in solidarity with a community, to foster relationships, and to gain knowledge and and a spark of passion which we continue to deeply engage with and share as we return home.
Quests are designed to be journeys of spiritual, intellectual, and moral growth, as well as opportunities for students to build community and long-term friendships among themselves and with those whom they meet. Quests are forums for asking big questions, witnessing and learning about the world's problems, and creating bonds between people and places.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
History
The Quest program began in the aftermath of 9/11, when the Crossing assembled a group of students interested in learning about the conflict in the Middle East. Students had the opportunity to speak with Jewish, Muslim, and Christian leaders working for peace and experience the kindness of strangers, all the while processing their adventure together as a community.
Following the success of the first Quest to Israel-Palestine, trips to other beautiful and complex parts of the world developed, including: Chiapas, Mexico; the Everglades, Florida; Costa Rica; Northern Ireland; Rome; Cambodia; Nepal; Kenya; Sri Lanka; the Badlands, North Dakota; Cuba; Honduras; Tijuana, Mexico; and Nicaragua.
Since its inception, over 450 students have traveled with the Quest program.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Each Quest seeks:
Cultural Diversity: We go to places that offer an opportunity for participants to interact with people who have different experiences and assumptions about life, religion, politics, etc. Few Quests are “cultural immersion” experiences, but it’s important for participants to be nudged a bit out of their comfort zones.
Poignant Problems: While most places on Earth have a share of political and cultural strife or looming environmental threats, we seek Quest destinations that particularly highlight some of the most pressing problems of our time. Sometimes this means going to risky places, and sometimes to places that make you sad or angry. We try to find places that make you think, and encourage you to care.
Off the Beaten Tourist Path: We don’t key in on major tourist destinations, or try to hit all the highlights a place has to offer. We try to emphasize quality over quantity of experiences, seeking out special places and people with rare knowledge, experience, and talents to share. We don’t want anyone’s Quest to feel like just the same trip that thousands of other people have taken.
Fun: Simple and obvious, but hugely important. We look for places that participants will find beautiful, energizing, and inspiring. If the locale is a tourist hub, we try to find a way into unexplored corners so we can see the place from an angle that few others have. Quests are always playful, so we seek places that offer adventure and opportunities to kick back when the time is right.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Quest is for you if you are...
... a University of Wisconsin-Madison student or well-qualified student from a nearby school.
...interested in challenging yourself in a new place with new people.
...adaptable and cooperative in unexpected situations.
...eager to listen compassionately to different opinions, and support others on their life journeys.
...open to seeking the Holy in the world.
...“full of life” and embrace opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Quest takes all kinds...It's OK if you're a seasoned traveler, or have never been far from home. It doesn't matter if you're a grad student, or a freshman. It's great if you've spent years pondering the big questions of life, but just as good if you haven’t given them a second thought (but are willing to give it a try!). You're welcome to have any religious or faith background, or none at all. You can be an extravert or an introvert, as long as you're willing to be your best self. We see diversity as a sign of strength within a group, and an opportunity for students to learn from each other.
We are always interested in sending a Quest group to a new place or embracing a new theme to link with a destination, so contact us if you have an idea you’d like to share.
