Elizabeth Kwon 4/30/26 Elizabeth Kwon 4/30/26

Five Things Adoptees Should Know Before Traveling to Their Birth Country a Second Time

Been to your birth country before? Your next trip is going to feel completely different and that's okay. 💜 We're diving into what adoptees can expect on return trips: bigger feelings, new perspectives, and the beauty of seeing familiar places with fresh eyes. Featuring real stories from Ties Team Members and alumni, it's an honest and encouraging guide to traveling with an open heart, releasing expectations, and embracing every feeling along the way.

Elizabeth Kwon 4/23/26 Elizabeth Kwon 4/23/26

Kazakhstan Through New Eyes: Reflections from an Adoptive Mother

Sixteen years after adopting their son, Noah, Amelia reflects on their powerful 2025 heritage trip to Kazakhstan with The TIES Program. This blog spotlight details how TIES expertly balanced deeply emotional work with genuine fun and adventure, allowing Noah and other adopted kids to connect in a way that required no explanation. Amelia shares how the experience deepened her understanding of international adoption, replacing initial anxiety with ease and joy.

Elizabeth Kwon 4/16/26 Elizabeth Kwon 4/16/26

Ties Traveler: Meet Aunt Allison

Read the powerful story of adoptee Dulce’s heritage journey to Guatemala, accompanied by her favorite aunt, Allison. This moving post details how the aunt-niece duo navigated the emotional complexities of a Ties trip, from discovering the program to successfully meeting Dulce’s birth family and siblings.

Learn why having a non-parental "sidekick" made a difference in Dulce's reconnection experience, the process of finding birth family, and how their family continues to build connections to Guatemala through Spanish classes and plans for future trips.

Elizabeth Kwon 4/2/26 Elizabeth Kwon 4/2/26

Ties Traveler: Meet Beth

Exploring identity, connection and community alongside fellow adoptees and loved ones, Paraguayan adoptee Beth shares a powerful reflection on moments in Asunción and Pirayú, bringing to life the depth of heritage travel and the lasting impact of connecting with culture, language and roots.

Elizabeth Kwon 3/26/26 Elizabeth Kwon 3/26/26

More Than a Return: Reflections from India Ties Kolkata Travelers

Before leaving India, we sat down with the tour members for India Ties Kolkata and asked them what the journey was like for them - what made them travel with Ties, how the trip has impacted their relationships to themselves and their families and if they would recommend a Ties tour to anyone considering it. Excerpts have been edited for clarity.

Elizabeth Kwon 3/19/26 Elizabeth Kwon 3/19/26

Returning to China: A Heritage Trip with My Sons

Adoptive mother, Jen Decker-McMillen shares her summer 2025 experience returning to China with her adopted teenage sons through The Ties Program. A powerful story of heritage travel, identity, and connection.

Elizabeth Kwon 3/12/26 Elizabeth Kwon 3/12/26

Language at the Lake: A New Way to Experience the Heart of Guatemala

Hazel Bendix refects on her transformative Ties trips to Guatemala and shares why she’s excited for the new Language at the Lake program. From cultural immersion and volunteering at El Amor Children’s Home to learning Spanish and building lifelong connections, this program offers adoptees a unique opportunity to explore heritage, language and identity.

Elizabeth Kwon 3/4/26 Elizabeth Kwon 3/4/26

All of Your Ethiopian Ties Questions Answered

Planning a Ties Heritage trip to Ethiopia? This guide answers everything from dates, to updates from the inaugural trip, in-country support, reconnection opportunities with birth family and pricing. Learn how Ties creates meaningful, personalized experiences for adoptees and their loved ones plus get tips on grants, travel planning and making the most of your journey.

Elizabeth Kwon 2/26/26 Elizabeth Kwon 2/26/26

The Importance of Being “Together in This” - Introducing Our New Seminar for Partners of Adoptees

Together in This is a three-part interactive seminar created specifically for partners of adoptees who want to better understand, support, and grow alongside the person they love. We sat down with Ben Kaanta and Sarah Kurtzahn, co-creators of this important seminar, to gain insight into why they felt this course was needed and why they decided to navigate unchartered territory.

Elizabeth Kwon 2/12/26 Elizabeth Kwon 2/12/26

The Assumption of Citizenship: Why Intercountry Adoptees Are Left Out of the Conversation

Many assume that international adoption automatically grants a child citizenship, but this isn't always the case. This post explores the historical and legal reasons why thousands of adult adoptees remain without secure status today.

Elizabeth Kwon 2/5/26 Elizabeth Kwon 2/5/26

Inside the Mind of Our Travel Team: Marisa Reflects on Our Inaugural Trip to Ethiopia

In this behind-the-scenes reflection, Ties travel team member Marisa shares what it was like to lead the inaugural Ethiopian Ties heritage journey, offering insight into adoptee travel, group support, in-country partnerships, and the powerful moments of identity and belonging that unfolded along the way.

Elizabeth Kwon 1/29/26 Elizabeth Kwon 1/29/26

Ties Traveler: Meet Emily

Walk with Emily as she reflects on her first trip back to Korea on the inaugural Korean Ties First Wave tour. From overcoming zero interest in Korea to being a full fledged ARMY, Emily’s story will spark familiarity among other adoptees who “get it”.

Elizabeth Kwon 1/22/26 Elizabeth Kwon 1/22/26

Ties Traveler: Meet Liz

Meet Liz Sevigny (they/them/她). Liz is a Chinese adoptee from Yueyang in Hunan Province and a participant in our inaugural China Ties Adult Adoptees Age 21+ heritage journey. Liz shares reflections on returning to their birth country, traveling alongside fellow adult adoptees, and the meaningful experience of meeting with their birth family during the journey.

Autumn Ackerson 1/17/26 Autumn Ackerson 1/17/26

Intercountry Adoptee Rights and Safety Guide: What to Know in 2026

Stay informed, prepared, and supported as an intercountry adoptee. This living guide offers practical tips on rights, documentation, travel, and community resources, helping adoptees navigate immigration enforcement and complex legal questions with confidence and care.

Elizabeth Kwon 1/15/26 Elizabeth Kwon 1/15/26

Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026

Dr. Tanya Kaanta, Director of the Ties Program, reflects on 2025 - acknowledging the transformation of the adoptee space and the what Ties brings to the table. She also looks forward to what 2026 will bring for Ties the broader adoptee landscape.

Elizabeth Kwon 12/18/25 Elizabeth Kwon 12/18/25

File Reviews & Birth Search in the Age of NCRC: Part 2

In part two this two-part series, program manager and Korean adoptee Liz Kwon personally reflects on how birth search and file reviews are being handled since NCRC took over adoptee files earlier in 2025.

Elizabeth Kwon 12/11/25 Elizabeth Kwon 12/11/25

File Reviews & Birth Search in the Age of NCRC: Part 1

In part one this two-part series, program manager and Korean adoptee Liz Kwon personally reflects on how birth search and file reviews are being handled since NCRC took over adoptee files earlier in 2025.