ABOUT QUEST

Letter from the President

My experience in international exchange began in 1990 when
I moved my life to Copenhagen, Denmark. It was then that my passion for international exchange started to grow. My personal experience of living in another country, learning to speak
another language and having to adjust to a new culture,
changed me forever.

 

While living in Copenhagen, I worked with high school and au pair programs for two years before returning to the United States to take a position as executive director of a large student exchange program. My desire to provide a more personalized program motivated me to start the Quest International Program in 1999. We started with one foreign partner and one type of exchange program. Our growth has been deliberate; today we have over 18 foreign partners and many diverse exchange programs geared for both American and International students. I believe in a very hands-on approach, which allows me to be involved with all program participants and to make decisions for each student on a case-to-case basis. Having the right people on staff is key to our reputation. That’s why we hire applicants based on how passionate they are about working with international exchange.

 

I believe in building strong partner relationships, not only with foreign organizations, but with schools and teachers in the U.S. It is important for me to get out and meet Quest partners face to face, to share ideas for a better program. For these reasons I make time throughout the year to travel abroad and domestically to help build Quest International relationships.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am passionate about being able to provide diverse opportunities to youth and adults across the globe to learn languages, immerse themselves in new cultures and help unite our world in trust and friendship.

 

Sincerely,

Lisa Laviolette, President