Seattle:
Remembering the Past, Impacting the Future

Spring Break 2017
March 18th-25th, 2017

This year's inaugural Quest to the Seattle area focuses on the unique histories and experiences of Asian-American immigrant families who call the Pacific Northwest home. 

The first half of our trip will begin with the exploration of an often overlooked event in American history, the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese-Americans on the Pacific coast during World War II. We will hear firsthand accounts of the camps and their effect on the lives of Japanese-Americans from survivors and family members of survivors through dialogue with members of the Japanese Baptist Church of Seattle. Trip members will also have the opportunity to attend a service delivered in Japanese, and to meet with and speak with members of the multicultural congregation for a service project. 

Students will learn more about the historical experiences of Asian-American immigrants in the region as we travel to Bainbridge Island, a small multicultural community and the location of the first Japanese-American population to be relocated during World War II. We'll then bridge the past and present with a visit to the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific Experience and a tour of Seattle's Chinatown. 

The second half of our trip will focus on the modern-day experience of refugee families who have relocated to the United States. We are partnering with the Coalition for Refugees from Burma; a nonprofit that provides education, resources, and culturally and linguistically appropriate support for refugees from Burma and beyond. Together our students will have the opportunity to visit the Kent Public School District to speak with high school students about their experiences adjusting to US culture and classrooms, volunteer with young children through the organization's early-childhood literacy program, and hear from parents of the students involved in the organization's programs. 

Throughout the week, Quest students will broaden their worldviews, question their pre-conceived biases, share their own experiences and connections, reflect on their learning, and have fun! Students will come away from this jam-packed week with new friendships, new experiences, and a deeper understanding and appreciation for the many voices and narratives in the Asian-American immigrant experience. 

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Applications Currently Closed 

Cost: Approximately $900
Includes plane ticket, ground transportation, lodging, meals, admission to all sites in Seattle and program fees
Shareholder fundraising and scholarships available 

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

Guide: Samantha Moritz

Group Size: 5-9

​Application Deadline: January 31st, 2017

Japanese Baptist Church

Coalition for Refugees from Burma

Densho Resources