Nicaragua: 
Building Schools, Building Bridges, Building Bright Futures

May 14th-23rd, 2017
Join us this summer as we travel to Nicaragua!  We will be working with Seeds of Learning, a nonprofit organization which works to improve educational opportunities for low-income students in rural Latin America.  Seeds of Learning builds,repairs and equips schools, provides scholarships to primary, secondary and university students, develops Learning Resource Centers, and supports literacy and adult education programs in rural areas.  

While in Nicaragua we will spend our mornings doing hands-on construction work alongside other community members, improving the infrastructure of local public schools. We will also lead daily games and fun activities for elementary-age children at our building site school and the surrounding town. Our afternoons will focus on experiencing the rich culture of Nicaragua, as well as learning about the educational and socioeconomic needs of under-resourced communities.  This includes visiting classrooms, learning centers, and women's cooperatives, and hearing diverse perspectives on Nicaraguan education from educators, staff, and other local leaders. With our guides at Seeds of Learning we are able to meet with and have open conversations with community members, getting an inside look into daily life for Nicaraguans and experiences the joys and struggles of life in rural low-income areas. Our goal is not only to better understand the educational barriers low-income rural students face in Central America, but also to come away with deep friendships, solidarity with the communities we work with, and a better understanding of and passion for reducing poverty and inequality in the world.  

This summer we will be living and working in the community of Mesas de Asicaya, a mountain community about an hour drive from the city of Tipitapa. 

Come with us to learn, build, and grow in Nicaragua!  Apply Today!
Above: The mission and work of Seeds of Learning


Left: Our group and members of the community mixing a batch of cement for a new classroom!
In the Past, Student Have...
- Helped tie rebar, prepare ground, and mix and pour cement to build new elementary school classroom, replacing a hot and rusted shipping container used for class
- Led daily recess-time activities for elementary school students, including face painting, crafts, coloring, tye-dying, soccer, clapping games, and English/Spanish exchanges through art
- Stayed with local family homestays, spending our mealtimes and free time with these wonderful families
- Participated in a cultural exchange discussion with members of the community
- Listened to our host families about their experiences during the revolution
- Celebrated a host mother's birthday with a piñata  bought at a local market
- Visited a Mother's Day celebration at a nearby after-school learning center
- Learned to make homemade tortillas and empanadas
- Visited the Masaya Volcano 
- Toured lakefront, historical sites and museum in Managua
- Relaxed in Granada and Laguna Apoyo
- Visited a local pottery shop and learned from a master potter at work
Applications Currently Closed

Cost: approximately $2,500 
​Includes airfare, lodging, meals, and program fees. Shareholder fundraising available!  

In addition to Quest program scholarships, scholarships are also available through Seeds of Learning.  Learn more at http://www.seedsoflearning.org/get-involved/payment-information/​

Guide: Samantha Moritz 
Allison Oskin ​

Who can apply?: UW-Madison students and well-qualified applicants from nearby schools

Group size: 12-15 total

Application Deadline: 
January 31st, 2017



Want to Know More?
Check out our 2016 Quest Nicaragua Blog!

​Take a look at reflections from past Quest Nicaragua students.


"This trip made me realize how much of a change I can make in the world. Because of this trip, I plan to travel to different parts of the world and improve conditions and struggles that others face."
"Unforgettable. This was the most amazing experience of my life and I hope to go again next year."