While religious and spiritual quests might seem to be relegated to movies and books, for Ohio University students and others around the world, such journeys are a reality.
The motivations for these pilgrimages range from religious obligation and devotion to simple curiosity.
Jason Blane, Hillel's student president at OU, visited Israel during winter break with 14 other OU students. The 10-day trip included a stop in Jerusalem where students saw the Western Wall, a visit to the Dead Sea and the opportunity to climb Mount Massada, Blane said.
The religious aspect of the trip was the main reason junior Rebecca Tucker went on Hillel's trip to Israel, she said.
The trip religiously is what you want to get out of it personally
she said.
Walking up Mount Massada was one of the highlights of the trip not only for Tucker, but for Justin Lazerick as well. Lazerick, a senior, went with five other members of his Jewish fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi.
Lazerick had two concerns about going on the trip: I didn't want religion pushed on me and I was scared he said, referring to the violence in the area. It's all we hear about - it's scary.
Tucker recalled the same feeling when she visited the border of the Gaza Strip.
You could see the communities just a mile or two away. It just kind of keeps you in check. It reminds you that you're in a state that is almost constantly at war
she said.
Overall, the students said they thought they took a lot away from the experience. Senior Lauren Topolosky was the only OU student to extend the trip. She spent seven extra days with family in Israel.
The entire experience was life-changing for me. I came home and my parents recognized it. To be in an area where
if I had the ability
I could trace my heritage back thousands of years
that's incredible.
Another pilgrimage, the Hajj, is modeled after the actions of the prophet Muhammad. Muslims are obligated to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during their lives.
The Hajj must take place in the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar - this year, Jan. 1-Jan. 30, said Alexander Keefe, a classics and world religions professor.
It is the largest pilgrimage in the world, Keefe said. More than 2 million people will pass through the holy sites, which are the size of about three football fields, each day during the Hajj. This year, 343 pilgrims died during a stampede, creating concerns about security.
Jordan Robinson, a junior and vice-president of OU's Muslim Students Association, has tentative plans to go on the Hajj next year with his mother.
When you hear of these absolutely horrific stampedes
it's amazing that it doesn't occur more often
Robinson said. Just the organizing and logistics that it takes is unbelievable.
Unlike Islam, Christians are not required to make pilgrimages, but many do travel to places like Jerusalem and Rome. One marked event is World Youth Day, which takes place every two or three years - most recently this past August in Cologne, Germany.
OU juniors Mary Seeholzer and Neil Dingow attended World Youth Day during the summer. For Seeholzer, the main draw was the positive reviews she heard from friends who went to a previous World Youth Day in Toronto.
I felt like I would benefit from that experience
and I definitely did
Seeholzer said.
Dingow wanted to go to World Youth Day because of the allure of the late Pope John Paul II, he said.
I wanted to see him
