Our Reviews

“My mother and I had a wonderful experience traveling to Korea with the Ties program in July 2024. Sarah was extremely responsive and helpful through and through - I inquired about joining the summer tour on pretty short notice and am so grateful for her support and willingness to make it a reality. In Korea, the entire staff was amazing - genuinely kind people, and made us feel cared for and supported from the moment we arrived until our return back to the states. I also really enjoyed meeting the other adoptees & their families throughout the trip. The itinerary covered a lot of ground as a group while also incorporating free time to explore independently, which I personally appreciated amidst all the structured activity. Overall, such a memorable trip and so worth it. 10/10 recommend to adoptees and their loved ones!”

Megan M, Adoptee
August 8, 2024

“The Korean Ties Heritage Tour 2024 met and exceeded all my expectations. From the extensive communication before the trip, to the guidance provided during the tour itself, I felt extremely well taken care of. Big props to the organizers for choosing the perfect blend of historical sites, shopping, varieties of food, live performances, and time to explore the natural wonders of the land. The balance of sight-seeing to personal time was also ideal. I especially looked forward to the Connect and Chat times, scheduled spaces for adult adoptees to discuss whatever feelings or thoughts came up on the deeply impactful journey. I felt a kinship right away with the adjunct staff who were our “go to people.” And no one could inform, engage and delight a bus full of KAD families like the incomparable Ms. May. She was supremely knowledgeable and downright hilarious. The visit to my birth city was much more meaningful thanks to a connection I made with a Korean Ties alum living in Korea with his birth family. I met the adoptee at a special dinner organized by the staff. He later invited me to his father’s restaurant which just happened to be in my birth city of Siheung…

“Went on Korea Ties Foundation tour in 2024 and was a terrific experience. They support the adoptees and families exceptionally well. The tour guides were super knowledgeable and fun so all of the culture and touristic agenda items were super interesting and much better than if you do it on your own. They provided extra support on the emotional journey as well; this made the trip more impactful and meaningful. The team was approachable and empathetic with a unique and helpful perspective on all aspects of the adoption journey. Well worth the price, yup it is not cheap. Logistics were easy and hotels and meals were all great choices.”

Bruce Kasrel
August 6, 2024

“There are no adequate words to convey how much our recent trip to Korea (July 2024) positively impacted our family. From the planning stages through trip completion, the communication and care that was taken by Sarah and all the staff to ensure that our experience was the best one possible was very evident. Meticulous planning of every last detail, a mix of activities involving cultural, historical, food, fun, and free time allowed us to have a completely immersive trip. Our 20 year old daughter was hesitant to go with a large group, and she ended up connecting with the other adoptees/staff in a way we did not think was possible. If you are considering a trip with TIES, please don't hesitate. It was more than worth every penny, and we are already trying to plan a trip back in the future.”

Jennifer Sloan, Adoptive Parent
August 6, 2024

“My Vietnamese adopted daughter and I traveled with Ties to my daughter's birth country in late 2007, early 2008. So many years later, we both have very fond memories of that trip and see how the experience answered many difficult questions. We have had the good fortune of maintaining contact with my daughter's birth family since the time of adoption. During our trip, Ties assisted with arranging an interpreter and driver for two visits. Somehow, however, we recently lost contact with the birth family and I was concerned about the well-being of the birth mom. I contacted Ties and even though the organization was just emerging from a COVID hiatus, Becca got back to me. I made what I thought was a far-fetched request to ask Ties' Vietnamese contacts to check on the well-being of my daughter's birth mom. Not only did Becca willingly reach out to her Ties contacts in Vietnam but the Vietnamese folks contacted the birth family and I got the answers I requested in less than 2 days! (btw, the birth mom is alive and well.) It was a miraculous display of Ties' commitment to excellent service and honoring the precious but sometimes tenuous bonds between adoptive and birth families. Thank you, Becca and Ties!”

Anonymous, Adoptive Parent
June 10, 2022

“As my family and I settle back in at home, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Becca and all of the Ties staff for all they did to make our Guatemalan Ties experience the best! We had high expectations before our trip, but I can honestly say that they were exceeded. The attention to detail in correspondences, the hotels and restaurants chosen, the Guatemalan and US Ties staff (LOVE them!) , and the places we visited in this beautiful country were all the absolute best! We changed our minds as a family well into the process to change from Ties Lite to the Flagship program. I would highly recommend staying the extra days if at all possible. My family and I wanted to stay and experience the trip again with the second group. Again, many thanks from the Archer family!”

Kitty Archer, Adoptive Parent
August 7, 2018

“It's difficult to explain just how incredible the life changing experience and trip to my mother land was by putting it into words. Adopted as a baby from South Korea, I grew up in WI surrounded by Caucasian people (i.e. my family and friends). I never had a strong desire to return to Korea until recently as an adult - mostly just out of curiosity and some interest in the culture. My (adoptive) mom and I toured four cities throughout South Korea in the 12 day trip with Korean Ties and had an amazing time experiencing the Korean culture. It was such a fantastic way to reunite with my roots by being with a group of people who were experiencing the same feelings (feeling so American/"white" yet becoming more and more proud of being Korean with each experience during the trip). We laughed, cried and had SO MUCH FUN together. I'm so grateful my parents knew about this program as it was absolutely the right choice. Pat Hallada and her staff were delightful and have so much experience with traveling here and navigating ALL OF THE FEELINGS that my mom and I had as we had the opportunity to meet my birth mom and some other members of my biological family…

“As a grandparent I feel very fortunate to have experienced this trip of a lifetime with my daughter and 3 grandchildren, adopted from Korea. The trip was amazing and well-planned. The people in charge were awesome. They were helpful, kind, understanding, and knowledgeable. All the participants in the group were also wonderful. I recommend this trip to anyone wanting to find out about their child's homeland. It was well worth the time and money.”

Susan Rudick, Adoptive Parent & Grandparent
August 7, 2018

“I traveled with Ties Guatemala in July 2016. It was a great trip. Fantastic travel families, awesome counselors and guides. The trip exceeded my expectations. During one of the counselor discussions, Mic shared it might take time for your child to process the trip/experience. My child fit this description. During the trip my teenager enjoyed the travelers who were her age, but focused on the negatives such as getting sick and not meeting the birth parents. After we returned we heard she might return but only on her terms. Last week, during a family dinner we discussed favorite trips. Much to our surprise she said her trip to Guatemala was her all time favorite. Yes, 2 years later! When asked what made the trip special she only talked about the great parts. The bonds she made, the excursions, the outings with out parents, meeting the foster family. This could be a separate article on how processing takes time and one that MAY have helped our unhappy Korea participant this year. So i want to encourage other adoptive families to take a Homeland Herritage trip. It is life changing, not only for the kids but also for the adoptive parents. And after reuniting with the foster family, they too were over joyed we visited…

“WOW!!! THE MOST special trip that rated a 10+ for me. Traveling with our adult daughter to the land of her birth was an amazing experience. The Korean Ties Program thought of everything from providing us with many cultural experiences, great hotel acccommodations, comfortable and interesting bus and train travels, and energetic and knowledgeable Korean guides. We were paired well with a most gracious family for our host dinner in their home. There was an immediate connection - what FUN we had. Visiting the Salvation Army Home was the most moving and emotional time spent on our trip. Pat Hallada, the Program Manager, and her team of U. S and In-Country staff were delightful!!! I don’t know if Korea is still able to visit a maternity home, but if so that should definitely be part of the article. Host family visit available in some countries. But post covid, need to check to see where. The Bus Groups bonded so well - friendships were made quickly - so fun to watch the adoptees interact within their age groups and with the parents and grandparents.”

Alice Emmert, Adoptive Parent
August 22, 2018

“Our recent trip to South Korea was a most wonderful experience. My husband, our daughter (adopted 30 years ago) and her partner were all impressed with what the tour had to offer. Before the trip we felt we were not the "tour group" type, however, we soon came to really appreciate the interesting content and the ease with which the tour flowed. Our daughter really came together with many of the adoptees on the tour and the experience of sharing their lives and stories will always be something she cherishes. The tour leaders and support staff were exceptional and really identified and worked to meet the needs of the individual adoptees and also their siblings. They were approachable, supportive and right from the minute we signed up for the tour. Our daughter, Kaya, met her birth family for the first time which was an amazing experience. The Ties staff were very flexible in dovetailing the program with our family visiting needs. Thank you Pat Hallada and the Ties Program which I can wholeheartedly recommend.”

Jennifer Young, Adoptive Parent
August 28, 2018

“I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for putting together an awesome trip itinerary for us. We had a wonderful time, we learned a lot, the weather was great and our guide was a perfect fit for our family! I am so glad that we decided to enlist your help instead of just trying to go it on our own! We made so many memories and really enjoyed watching our daughter interact with the local people and just take it all in! Thanks again and please know that what you do is so important!!!”

Sandy Rich, Adoptive Parent
July 11, 2016

“We just go home from the trip of a lifetime to Kazakhstan. We are still slightly jet-lagged, and still deep in unread mail and laundry. While the trip is still fresh I just wanted to let you know how wonderful it was. All of arrangements worked perfectly. There was a great balance between seeing the country's progress and the adoption-related experiences at the baby house and with the birth family. The staff in Kazakhstan were all amazing. Kudos to you and your in country team for making it all happen. My daughter felt that the best part of the trip was experiencing it with a group of kids who, as she says "get me". For the parents it was nice to have people to process the experience with.”

Meryl Finkel, Adoptive Parent
July 19, 2016

“I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for all the hard work you and your staff put in so that our trip to Korea would run so smoothly. It was definitely a trip of a life time. One that we will cherish for the rest of our lives! Our family gained so much from this trip that it is hard to put into words - but I'll try!! Because of the hard work and organization by everyone involved, our family was able just to completely enjoy every aspect of this trip. We didn't have to worry about where we were going (bus drivers covered that), what we were doing next (guides had that covered) or would they be able to understand us (translators and english-speaking Koreans took care of that)! Your organization covered every aspect of this trip that I had concerns about. What do I need to pack? What documents will I need? Along with a 100 other questions that were all covered either in the material we received before we left or on the actual trip. It amazes me still that you're able to take 28 families on a group trip to Korea and make it feel as though the trip was tailor made just for your family!! All this being said, what probably was the most amazing aspect of our trip is the difference it made in the lives of our children…

“Thanks for an incredible trip! I just wanted to write and tell you what a wonderful experience the Romanian Ties trip was for my daughter and for me. She connected with the other kids (she isn’t the ONLY one who felt awkward and weird in high school) and loved Paula, our group leader. Paula was so reassuring to us parents that we had raised great kids who would continue the journey to understand their dual cultures. And Victoria was a tremendous guide who related well to the kids, and created a trip that was memorable for the adults (we loved the wine tastings!) and the kids. Everything was so well organized that I could concentrate on my daughter and not any of the logistics of the trip. I know my daughter left with a much better understanding of her culture and the richness of the history of her homeland. And meeting the birth family was something that she needed to do, and I am so thankful that Mariana and Vali found the family, and that Mariana supported my daughter during the visit. I know she will continue to process what all of that means, but it is such a necessary part of her growth, that I am so glad that she was able to finally see her birth family and home…

“My adult daughters (25 and 28) and I were thrilled about the prospect of finally traveling to Peru for the first time since they were adopted as infants. Our initial plan was to join a Ties group tour, but when this was not possible, Ties put together an itinerary for our family to travel independently. I've done a lot of international traveling, almost always making the arrangements myself--with the usual frustrations and mix-ups involved. What a delight to be guided and supported through an amazingly hassle-free trip! We took multiple flights in- country and stayed at multiple hotels and at every step were met at the airport as planned and so well taken care of. Our guide in each city was incredibly helpful, not only with touring but also managing personal needs and unexpected "emergencies" (e.g., frantic searches for the Peruvian equivalent of Pepto Bismol and for a new suitcase when mine fell apart). Prior to leaving for Peru we were fortunate enough to have located the birth family of one of my daughters in a small town near Cusco. Travel agency staff there made arrangements for a meeting with the family, and our guide accompanied us to translate--not a planned part of the trip but probably the most important experience of all….

“Our 12 ½ year old son, his Dad and I traveled with the Ties Program to Cambodia at the end of December 2013 and beginning of January 2014. It was a journey that will be remembered for our lifetimes, one that is hard to describe adequately in words. This would not have been possible without the kindness, care, and attention to detail of the Ties Program. This included a painstaking prior investigation for each family in an attempt to locate birth parents, nannies, orphanage directors and others who were significant in our children’s lives while they lived in Cambodia . We were prepared very well (we were sent a 45 page Pre-Travel booklet outlining EVERYTHING!), and were impressed by the compassion shown by Sarah and Matt while we were in country.”

Shorey Berlin, Adoptive Parent
January 14, 2014

“I'd like to take this opportunity again to thank you for the wonderful work the Ties Program did in organizing our homeland trip to Vietnam and in facilitating the meeting with Bethany's birth family. Everything: the accommodations the food, the tours and even the unplanned days (which I really liked) ran smoothly. And we enjoyed all the other families -- we certainly had lots to talk about. Bethany and I have wonderful memories which will last a life time. I had some doubts about doing the trip -- was I pushing toward meeting the birth family more than my daughter? Did she really want to do this? Looking back, I can say with confidence that it was the right decision. I'm so glad we were able to give her this stepping stone into her future, however it might unfold. I do believe there is something powerful about sense of place -- where we come from. When I ask Bethany what she remembers most, she says "fitting in". She graduates from high school in two weeks and is headed for Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR. I feel good about sending her off on her life's journey with not just a better understanding; but a better feeling, an emotional connection, to where she came from. Perhaps "foundation building" is a better analogy than "stepping stone". Maybe both work.”

Cheryl Smyth, Adoptive Parent
May 27, 2014

“I have to say, when planning on our return trip to India, I kept saying, I could do this so much cheaper, I don't like traveling with people I don't know, I want my own schedule, etc. After talking to our girls, they thought making friends and experiencing this with others "like them" on this trip of a lifetime would be a highlight. Well I have to say we were amazingly well taken care of by all the ties staff, we didn't have to worry about getting around India, we saw more than I would have been able to plan on my own, but most of all the friends my girls (and us) made were priceless! I never would have guessed that after returning home we talk more about the people we met on the tour and in the country than the places we went. That is what my girls knew intuitively and I would have never been able to give that to them myself! Well worth it! Amazing Tour and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to go back!”

Neale Schwarting, Adoptive Parent
June 12, 2014

“I had been looking at the Ties website and even requested information several times over 6 years before I committed to a trip to Russia. My son was 19 years old by the time we decided to travel to his birth land. It was perfect timing for our family, but I had reservations that he would be too old to enjoy the other adoptees traveling with us. As fate would have it, this particular group was smaller and older than average group of kids. The group of teenagers on this trip bonded immediately and truly enjoyed each others company while learning each others stories. We were so blessed by the qualified staff abroad and in the US. I never had a concern about our safety or worried about the details. We just got to enjoy Russia, so different than we we traveled to adopt. Our time at my son's baby home was precious to us, and definitely the highlight of the trip for my son. I would not have been able to arrange this trip myself. Thank you Ties program. This was a trip of a lifetime.”

Brenda Meyer, Adoptive Parent
July 29, 2014

“We had been wanting to return to Russia with our two sons for a long time, but could never really figure out how to do it. After finding the Ties website and investigating the possibilities we knew we had found what we were looking for. The amount of planning and support for this trip was amazing, much more than we could have ever hoped to do ourselves. The biggest bonus, and one that we did not anticipate, was the opportunity to travel with other adopted kids and their families. This was probably the biggest highlight of our trip. Our two boys bonded almost instantly with the other kids. Together they formed an instant support group that both boys turned to constantly during the trip. The able guidance that Amy gave this group made all the difference. She was always there for the kids, and always supportive. Truly amazing! As a result, a very emotional trip became a source of growth and learning on many levels. We loved the tours and excursions around Moscow and St. Petersburg. They enhanced our understanding of Russian culture and history and deepened our appreciation of the Russian people. The trips to the Baby Home and Baby Hospital that our sons came from were truly wonderful experiences…

“I adopted my son from Russia fifteen years ago and had always felt that someday we would go back, but I could never figure out how. I researched translators and drivers and found it so overwhelming that I just gave up on that dream. Then one day, about a year ago, a friend provided a link to Russian Ties. I couldn’t believe it. It looked like everything I needed and more. We talked to Sarah at Ties and signed up immediately. We traveled in June/July, 2014. We met families who were so kind to us, and my son instantly connected with the other kids. That turned out to be so important to him. Our every need was met and often anticipated before we even knew it. Our accommodations couldn’t have been nicer, and we saw everything we possibly could in our two week trip. The Ties staff facilitated a meeting with my son’s birth family that was smooth and warm and the highlight of our trip. He is planning on returning, and I am confident that he will continue to reconnect with his homeland for many years. What a huge gift for him!

“Our daughter had consistantly expressed interest in her origins over the years, and a trip to Russia with Ties seemed like it would be a good way to reintroduce her to the country where she was born. It was so much better than we even imagined! Experiencing Russia with kids her age who "get" being adopted was a priceless gift to her. We had a great time getting to know the parents as well, and Larilyn and Amy from Ties were wonderful helpers and hosts. If you are thinking about birth country travel I highly recommend a group experience with Ties.”

Colette Prohofsky, Adoptive Parent
August 6, 2014

“I cannot express how great our China Ties trip was. Our adoption specialists were very in tune with our daughter and the rest of our family; our guides were incredible; and we dearly loved everyone that we traveled with. The trip went very smoothly with everything being well thought-out and executed. Our daughter’s favorite part of the trip was our orphanage visit. She was touched that people there who cared for her still cared about her. She was able to meet two of her four nannies and the doctor who took care of her. When we went to her finding place one of her nannies came with us and she was right at our daughter’s side holding her arm and caring for her as she saw the place for the first time that could bring lots of emotion. It was great seeing all of the adoptees interact and a little sisterhood emerge. Another highlight was going to CCCWA and seeing our daughter’s adoption file. We were only the second group to ever be able to do this. We loved the Talk Times of learning and sharing with other families. Even though our daughter does not share much, the Talk Times meant a lot to her. I think a perfect summary of our trip would be that I have seen a peace fall over our daughter’s spirit that has not been there before.”

Kathy Apple, Adoptive Parent
August 8, 2014

“When we went to Russia to adopt our 2 boys 7 years ago, we were SO focused on the adoption process that we didn't have the time or the energy to appreciate the country or the culture of our children's birthplace. The TIES program had everything well planned on our trip and it was SO nice to explore Russia and just be tourists in Moscow & St. Petersburg! The hotel in Moscow was so close to Red Square that we could walk there when we had free time. We loved walking through the lovely pedestrian street and just exploring Red Square and the surrounding area on our own. In Murmansk, it was amazing to reconnect with our boys' siblings! They were able to show us all of the places that were important to our boys, even the "big rock" that the boys remember playing on as young children! Our boys' faces lit up as they explored their old neighborhood & realized that their memories weren't just dreams after all! It was fantastic for our boys to be able to share their home country and their Russian family with their American family. We knew that the trip would be good for the boys, but we had no idea how great it would be for our whole family! Honestly, I wasn't looking forward to the "Connect & Chat" times that the TIES program staff facilitated with all of the families in our group...

“We traveled to China with China Ties this summer and were quite pleased. A friend of mine had recommended them for their ability to customize a homeland journey, and for the relatively small size of the travel groups. We are adventurous travelers and definitely could have made the trip on our own, but having someone else in charge of almost everything allowed us really to focus on the experience of being in China while we were there. And the experience was fantastic! The local guides in Beijing, Xian, Guilin, and Chengdu were excellent, and the sights and sounds and emotions of the trip will reverberate in our memories for many years to come.”

Patrick
Aug 16, 2014

“Our family recently experienced the TIES Russia program and I feel compelled to write you and share with you some thoughts regarding our experience. Let me begin by saying that the trip far exceeded our expectations in every way. The logistics and amenities were outstanding. But more importantly, the personal support to families was phenomenal. I want to specifically highlight the work of Sarah G. and Sami W. Sarah was both an outstanding tour guide and a very good resource to adoptive parents. She acknowledge the fact that she is not a parent yet she served as an excellent "sounding board" to parents. She demonstrated a high level of understanding and maturity through her thoughtful approach to questions and concerns. Sarah was very organized with regard to the logistics of the trip. Each detail was carefully orchestrated and well planned. I can't say enough about the work of Sami W. Her knowledge and understanding of the needs and nuances of adoptive families was invaluable to our experience. Sami brought a natural yet professional demeanor to the families and provided outstanding support and guidance to families. She helped to guide the emotion of the experience into a very constructive experience full of reflection and thoughtful meaning…

“We thoroughly enjoyed our Russian Ties trip this summer. My adopted son has been wanting to return to Russia and meet his birthmother for a very long time. Travelling to Russia is more than I would undertake on my own – the logistics, the language and customs, and the emotional side of traveling to a country so important to the family. The group activity in Moscow and later in Saint Petersburg were just right at 3-4 days to see all the main sites and sights of the rich rich culture and history. Our time in Murmansk region was very special. Our driver and interpreter drove us in the back roads of the area searching for our important locations and people. We were so blessed (I still can’t believe it but my son is blessed and lucky) that we reunited with his birthmother and became acquainted and are continuing the relationship on vk.com and facebook. Mikhail, Alexander and Lena were fabulous helping us to solve this mystery! It really was the trip of a lifetime for my family, thank you Sarah and Sami and the whole US and Russian team!”

Ann Palen, Adoptive Parent
August 20, 2014

“Thank you to Pat and all you Colleagues of hers; that made this Romanian Ties program 2014 such a successful and memorable trip! Couldn't of been so great if it weren't for all of you taking time to set things up and put things into place and all the hard work you all did. Best trip of my entire life! One of the most special moments in my life! Thank you all! -- (age 20- Milwaukee, WI)”

Victoria, Adoptee
August 21, 2014

“A life changing event. Not only did this trip bring the original adoption journey "to life" for our daughter, but it finally transferred the adoption story from us to her. She now owns her adoption story….it’s her's to tell. Also, traveling with the other kids gave an emotional cushion of “kids like me” and provided a forum to talk to kids who “get it.” The Regional Birth Family visit was almost fairytale perfect in its execution and results for all of us. And, finally, it gave me the wonderful opportunity to make the journey again. I couldn’t ask for more. Thank you for your time, dedication, and overall commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. We can’t thank you enough for an overall perfect trip. Sarah G. and Sami W., you were friendly, helpful, funny, compassionate, patient, and added so much to our trip of a lifetime! Thanks! Mark, Betty, and Staci”

Putnam/Harnitchek
August 22, 2014

"My husband and I and our 19-year-old daughter travelled to China with the China Ties Lite Program this past July 2014. It was the trip of a lifetime and truly was a life-changing event for all three of us! 18 years after we adopted our daughter, she was able to meet her foster mother and others that worked at Mother’s Love Orphanage at the time she was there. It was heart-warming for her to hear the information they remembered about her. We spent time in Beijing, Nanning and Chengdu. The China Ties Program did a great job planning activities and sightseeing opportunities for our group. The guides that were arranged for us in Nanning and Chengdu were such a positive part of our experience. Spending this time in China 18 years later has opened a whole new world for us. It was important for us to share this trip with a group of similar families. We have a whole new group of friends and are already talking about a reunion next summer!"

Cindy, Larry And Laura Squire
August 26, 2014

"I have to admit that I was uncertain what to expect with this trip and that my wife and I were doing this exclusively for our 16 year old daughter who had not been back to China since we adopted her at 20 months of age. My hope was that I would have a speaking engagement that would allow us to return to Beijing but as that never occurred, China Ties appeared to be a very good alternative. Thank God for China Ties! It was outstanding experience. Between the very knowledgeable tour guides, the experienced and very people-friendly China Ties staff our experience was nothing short of phenomenal. We were able to travel - via experienced drivers - to six different cities/provinces and truly experience Chinese culture and customs. The girls ranged from 9 -18 and they were able to take classes in cooking, calligraphy, kite-making, and painting and all 12 families were able to experience touring a silk factory, explore an incredible cave, take a wonderful cruise down the Li river, take a bike ride around the city of Xi'an, and visit the Great Wall, Tianamon Square, and the Terrakota Warriors. The highlight, however, was being able to reunite our daughter with her foster mom - who China Ties arranged to come on a 12 hour train ride to meet us at her original orphanage…

“One of the best trips of our lives! Between Pat Hallada (who organized and lead our group of 22) to our wonderful Tour Guide, Victoria, we saw, experienced and shared so much over 12 days. Our group (from around the USA) were all friendly and interesting. Our children, who shared this profound and meaningful journey, forged a deep bond with one another. Highly recommend "The Ties Program" for their conscientiousness, thoroughness and careful thought in putting this program together. This will be an experience we will not soon forget.”

Isabelle Amy Laskin, Adoptive Parent
August 28, 2014

“This was truly a rewarding and life changing experience. The trip was well organized and the itinerary was thoughtfully planned, with every attention to detail. We had a lovely and knowledgeable tour guide, Victoria, who shared with us the very rich and interesting history of Romania, as we travelled from city to countryside, and village to village. The children all seemed to form a special connection, got along very well, and were able to share and process experiences amongst each other, as the journey unfolded. The highlight of our trip was connecting with the people and missing pieces of the past. My daughter Brianna met her birth father, two sisters and her brother for the first time. I can't put into words how amazing that experience was, for both of us. The people of Romania were warm and friendly, and we enjoyed every minute of the trip. Romania is a beautiful country, and I am thankful to have been able to see the changes and progress made since my last visit. The trip was memorable, meaningful and exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend this experience for international adoptees and their families.”

Sharon Chambers, Adoptive Parent
November 6, 2014

“My 64 year old husband, 11 year old daughter, and I returned to Kazakhstan in August 2014. As an adult adoptee and social worker, I knew this trip was so important to her soul. I also knew the trip was long and made harder by assorted health problems etc. The support of Becca Piper and the Ties program, was an important before the trip, as during the trip. And after. The Ties program was the equivelant of a private clinical and travel concierge. Having a group of other adoptive families was perfect, especially for our daughter. We went places, met people and ate foods, that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. No matter what happened I knew Ties was a phone call away. That security gave me the freedom to focus on what really mattered---my daughter and her process returning to her birth country and orphanage. My gratitude. Thank you.”

Beth O'malley, Adoptive Parent
November 24, 2014

"Our family traveled on a China Connections program this July. Our trip included sightseeing in and around Beijing and a visit to our daughter's "hometown". The travel and accommodation arrangements were comfortable and professionally handled. The highlight of the trip was our visit to our daughter's orphanage and an expedition to visit her finding place. Our guide aggressively assisted in the latter and we ended up finding out much more about her beginnings than we had ever anticipated. Overall the trip was fun, moving, emotional and will provide a lifetime of memories. We highly recommend Adoptive Family Travel for this type of experience."

Joel Fivis, Adoptive Parent
August 3, 2012

"Our family traveld to Russia in July 2012. Our 11 day trip included sighteeing with our group of families in and around Moscow, visits to both of our sons birth cities and sighteeing in and around St. Petersburg with the group. Adoptive Family Travel/Russian Ties handled all of the arrangements including travel, lodging, some meals, sightseeing trips with English speaking guides, etc. We thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. We really enjoyed meeting and spending time with other adoptive families. The visits to the orphanages where we first met our sons was certainly a highlight for all of us. In both cases, we met staff that were there when our sons were babies and remembered our sons. They were so pleased that we were making a visit noting that when babies leave the orphange they rarely learn what happens to them. Larilyn and Deb were wonderful hosts and all four of our Russian guides were top notch. It was evident that they enjoyed their role as tour guides - all were so knowledgeable. It was amazing to see how much Russia has changed since we were there in 1997 and 2000. For our sons, ages 15 and 13, as well as my 71 year old father who also traveled with us, the trip was an adventure unlike anything they have experienced…

"We had a wonderful trip to Guatemala in July 2012 . We have 3 adopted children from there. Tony and Maria are now 11 years old and Jose' is 8 years old. We enjoyed every day traveling around Guatemala. The Ties program kept us very busy. We all did things that we never would have done on our own. Our Tony went on a Zip line all by himself. We climbed mountain,volcanos,boat rides on beautiful lakes (Atitlan) walked through a wildlife reserve,and planted over 300 trees for a reforestation project on a very steep hill, we also were invited into a coffee farmers' home (Daniel) and learned how his family processes coffee, makes beautiful bags, sells produce that they planted. Mama Maria and her daughters made a beautiful lunch for all of us and we all enjoyed their home and hospitality. Our group comprised of 30 people and also our wonderful Bea and Angela from the Ties Program. There were 16 adults and 14 children. The families all had adopted children, most from Guatemala and 1 from Korea, 1 from China and 1 from Paraguay. It was a trip that we wanted to do for our children and ourselves…

"Our family recently traveled to Korea in June-July, 2012 on the annual Korean Ties trip. Words don’t express it. This was a journey, and we were changed in a good way by it. We planned and saved for this trip since the kids were small, and they are in high school now. Our kids decided they wanted to take it one step at a time. They asked to travel as a family while they are in high school to see what they would be doing if they still lived in Korea. Our kids also asked to search for foster families, deciding to save a birth family search until later (we gave them the choice). We followed their lead, taking cues from them as we moved through trip preparation, research, writing letters, travel, beautiful temples, outdoor markets, making new friends and connections, delicious food and sand beaches. Korean Ties staff and the families we traveled with guided us every step of the way, through the emotional highs and lows that adoptive families know well. All new experiences and all together. Korean Ties staff helped us work with our adoption agency, and suggested ways our kids could learn more about their life stores. They both did, and we are deeply grateful. We will never forget the file reviews, meetings with their foster families, the laughter and the tears. Korean Ties staff also asked both our kids for a wish list, and worked personally with us to help them fulfill their dreams…

"Our family traveled to Russia, in July, 2012. What a wonderful experience to learn so much about Russian history and culture. The Ties staff was awesome to work with and took care of everything which included transportation to and from the airport, English speaking guides, many meals, and lodging. The itinerary gave us the opportunity to tour Moscow, St. Petersburg, and our son's home region. It would have been impossible to see as much as we did, on our own. Even though it was a filled schedule, there was also enough free time to explore by ourselves or just relax, if needed. It was great to meet and travel with other adoptive families. The visit to our son's home region was very special for all of us. The orphanage director and assistant director remembered our son, quickly showing us the pictures we had provided during the first two years, following our adoption. The orphanage staff was very welcoming and were genuinely thrilled that we took the time to return to Russia. We were giving a tour of the orphanage, with the assistant director, beaming the entire time. Through our interpreter, they wanted to know about our son, his likes, school and career interests, etc. It was nice to see that improvements have been made over the last fourteen years, including "e-mail", which will allow us to continue to share pictures…

"We traveled to Korea with Korea Ties July 6-15th. Our kids are ages 26 and 21. All I can say is that it was a wonderful journey for both our kids and us. The Ties staff, especially Pat, was so great. She acted as tour guide, mentor, ATM machine and counselor! Everything went off without a hitch. We had some very fun times and very emotional times during the trip. It was so much more than just a "vacation". My son was able to meet both his foster mom and birth mom and has now found out that he has family in Atlanta Georgia! My daughter met her foster mom who remembered her and treasured the time she had with her. We also did lots of fun things as well as very meaningful things. For me, visiting Eastern Social Welfare Society was one of the most meaningful parts of the trip. Looking into the room where all of the babies were and picturing my kids there when they were babies was very emotional for me. Just being where they were made me feel a real connection and I felt that we had come full circle now. We also visited an orphange in Busan. We played with the kids there and spent time with them but it was VERY hard to leave them…

"Once we signed up with Ties to be part of the Korean Connections Tour and bought airline tickets, the plan we’ve had since we adopted our Korean born children became real. Our trip to Korea was a trip of a lifetime. It warmed my husband and my hearts to see how important it was to our children, ages 11 and 13. We saw smiles and excitement grow in our children as the trip date drew closer. The trip was not a let down. Korea was amazing. We all fell in love with the country, and the kids were able to make meaningful connections to their roots that will forever be part of who they are. Their favorite part was the time they spent with their foster mothers, and in my son’s case foster family. Both children have a tender spot in their heart for the love and care that the foster families provided when they were so small and vulnerable. Visiting the hospitals the children were born in and their adoption agency was important too. They are hooks into their past. Another highlight was being able to reconnect with Jocelyn, our foreign exchange student. We were able to visit her home and meet her family. It was a great trip!"

Sherri Bader, Adoptive Parent
August 5, 2012

"My 18 year old son and I went on the Korea Connections trip in July and it was life changing for both of us. We could not have had a better organizer than Pat or a better guide than Mrs. Oom. Meeting Molly Holt and Dr. Cho (our children's doc while they were babies in Korea) was so special. Playing with kids at the orphanage in Busan and the Holt Reception center was so much fun. Great mix of tourism (loved learning to make kimchi, the Busan fish market, and NANTA!) and adoption related visits. Great accomodations and food. Our son met both foster and birth mothers and the caring shown to him by Holt and Ties staff in this emotional time was exemplary. We HIGHLY recommend this trip to adoptive families and look forward to traveling with Ties again in two years with our daughter."

Rochelle Stackhouse, Adoptive Parent
August 6, 2012

"The Ties Program is so aptly named, as this journey, filled with emotion, created new ties that will forever connect us to Korea. Our deepest thanks to Pat, Mrs. Oom, Joo Yeon and Mr. Park for all they did to keep us organized, focused, on track and prepared. It was a leap of faith to take this birth country visit with our adult sons, but the country and people that had always seemed so far away now are very close to our hearts and very real. We now count many of the people we met in Korea as part of our larger family. The connections we made to the traditions, customs and people of Korea have changed our lives and given us a much deeper appreciation for those who continue to hold our sons in their hearts. Faith, in our family, in those who arranged the trip and tended to the details, and in the power of love, made it a leap well worth taking and one for which we will always be grateful."

Laurie Taillie, Adoptive Parent
August 7, 2012

"My family and I traveled with the Peruvian Ties program in 2005. I was 15 at the time and to this day, 6 years later, it is still the best trip I have ever taken. From visiting ancient Incan ruins; to going to the market; to seeing the breathtaking Machu Picchu, the experience was amazing. I not only learned more about where I came from but also just how lucky I am to have the life I have. Throughout the trip, I made life-long friends with other kids that went. Many of us still keep in contact and hang out; it is nice to talk to someone who is going through the same identity struggles that you are. I will also never forget the amazing Peruvian people who took us in and made us feel completely welcome. We got to see first-hand what life was like in Peru and how much poverty affected the country. When I returned to America, it was much harder for me to be jealous of what others had because I was just so grateful for what I had. I think that aside from meeting my birth family and developing a life-long relationship with them, being able to help out in the different orphanages was the most memorable part of the trip. Just by giving a little of our time, we made hundreds of kids a little happier."

Emily Freeman, Adoptee
August 12, 2012

"I was able to go to Korea in 2000 and had the trip of a lifetime! Now that it has been 11 years, I am able to look back at the memories and the trip as a whole when i look at the pictures and albums. The TIES program also allowed me to find a piece of me that had been missing as never been truly immersed into the Korean culture. It also allowed me to find a passion for the Korean Adoption community as now I am involved in KAAN and other Korean Adoption events. Thanks to Becca and the TIES staff, I will have memories for a lifetime that I will be able to pass down to my children to share a part of who I am :)"

Sara Campbell, Adoptee
August 12, 2012

“I went on the Korean Ties program trip July 6 to 15, 2012. As an adult adoptee it was a trip I always wanted to go on and just needed the opportunity and the Ties program provided me with the opportunity of a lifetime. This trip allows for adoptees to come full circle with thier adoption and in some cases the opportunity to make real-life connections that we have always wondered if we could have. Even in the cases where these connections where not able to be made it has given me a sense of meaning and I feel that I am more complete as a person. I hope to return to Korea in the future and greatly appreciate, Pat, Mrs. Oom, Joo Yeon and Mr. Park for all the services they provided to make the trip seamless and so enjoyable. I strongly recommend Adoptive Family Travel for any homeland journeys you and your families may be thinking of attending.”

Alex Taillie, Adoptee
August 12, 2012

“Our family has traveled twice to Vietnam with Ties. It was so reassuring to know that the Ties team was there every step of the way, from planning through on-site support and even follow up when we returned. A very happy surprise was the level of support that the children on our trips have given to each other. They remain friends today, chatting online even though our homes are scattered across the US. While we were still in Vietnam, the first group made a commitment to stay connected, and we have reunited several times at culture camps in the US. (We adults are Facebook friends, too - hello fellow travelers!) While at culture camp, several families decided to make a return trip to Vietnam. We connected again with Ties and our much-loved guide, Thom, who planned another amazing trip. As it happened, two of the "original" families made the second trip, and we quickly expanded our friendship circle to include new travelers. Some of our favorite moments involved meeting the Vietnamese people. When our guide noticed something that he thought would interest our children, he first explained to the local people that our children were in Vietnam to learn about their culture. This opened hearts, and the Vietnamese generously allowed our children to weed crops, touch livestock or watch weaving…

“I participated in the Korean Ties program in 2001 with my husband, mom, and in-laws. It was an amazing trip and the Ties staff was attentive, caring and fully understanding of the needs of adoptees and their families. They cover everything. It was wonderful to have the logistics of travel to and from Korea and everything in between taken care of by such warm and wonderful people. The Ties staff was supportive and helpful from beginning to end. The trip was the perfect balance of learning about the culture of my birth country, understanding my past, and the necessary downtime to just enjoy the present. I enjoyed touring Seoul and eating dinner with a Korean family in their home. Spending time with children in an orphanage was bittersweet as I wanted to take all of them home with me. I loved the visit to Mount Sorak and traveling to Pusan, but the most poignant part of my trip was meeting my birth family. Since I was adopted in the 70s and the information I had surrounding my adoption was vague, I never expected to find my birth family. Korean Ties did all of the research and legwork to make that possible and for that I will be eternally grateful. Meeting my birth mother, grandmother, aunt, uncle, and half siblings was a beautiful experience. Special thanks to Becca, Pat, and Kathleen for making this trip so personalized.

“Our family traveled with the China Ties program this year, 2012 in July. I think it was very well organized and the closeness to the other kids there was definitely a plus. They split the kids up into two groups, an older and younger group, which I think helped all of us related and get to know each other better. The trip was incredible and something I won't forget. We got to see all the major touristy places but we also got have free time to explore the cities on our own. The food was great and one of the lunches was held at a woman's house which was very homey and comfortable. It was cool to learn the traditions of a smaller town. My family had a great guide and driver when we went to my orphanage. They took us to good restaurants and we were able to meet my director and assistant director of my orphanage. I became attached to one of the kids in my orphanage and I had asked Daniel (our guide) if we could go back and visit the next day and he was very considerate and said of course. I'd like to give a special thanks to Jenna Cook, who was a helper, teacher, translator, and basically a sister to all the girls on this trip. She was very sweet and I think she contributed immensely to this trip…

“We traveled to Vietnam this past Dec/Jan (2010/11) with our two daughters -- Maddi (13) and Paige (10). It was everything we had hoped for in a homeland journey and more. The Ties Program put together a great itinerary that covered so much, yet left plenty of room for individual needs, too. Everyone, from our in-country guide, to our travel coordinator, to our trip social worker was wonderful. Having the chance to share this experience with other families proved an unanticipated bonus, both for our children and for us as parents. I can't say enough good things about the way Ties approaches these trips.”

Sharon Kreher, Adoptive Parent
August 21, 2012

“Even well over a decade later, the Korean Ties trip is one of the most memorable and important experiences I've had. The Ties staff ran the trip seamlessly, making it look effortless (an illusion, I am sure!) and allowing the families to relax and absorb everything. Their expertise and connections in both travel and adoption are priceless, benefitting both newbie travelers like my family and the more seasoned globe-trotters. By encouraging our parents to give the kids time to just hang out, we were able to have down time to bond and process the intense feelings we had. The blending of downtime with emotionally draining experiences and sight-seeing avoided a sensory overload and allowed enjoyment of the trip for everyone - parents, siblings, and us adoptees. I could write a novel about the trip, and it would be filled with praise for Becca, Pat, and The Ties Program. I'm more than happy to share more of my experiences or opinions with anyone interested - just send me a message.”

Aimee Sonkiss, Adoptee
September 8, 2012

“Part I - Sometimes I think about my life before I traveled to Korea and wonder how I could have been so disengaged from what the world has to offer me. I traveled with my family and several other families and their adoptees, on July 20, 2012 to Seoul and I feel very lucky because I know for certain that this was the week that changed my life dramatically and for the better in a way that nothing besides my adoption itself has had an effect on me so greatly. I'm not sure I could ever describe in words or define by any definition of degree, just exactly what the Korean Ties Trip did for me, but I will try my best! The three most important experiences for me were firstly, meeting and living with my birth family and secondly, gaining a much better and more genuine appreciation for all people outside my own little world. The last, and perhaps not even a main focus of the Ties Program, is that the experience made me realize I am not alone in my personal experiences. The trip provided me with new found and life long friends who I can seek out and talk about adoption, doing the Asian-Korean thing on a day-to-day basis and all that other stuff that typically I felt I had no outlet for. Man, I love me some outlets. Anyway...

“We just participated in the first Bulgarian Ties trip (July 2012) & it was great! Including the staff, we were 9 adults & 5 kids. The daily organization was handled very well by Bea and you didn't feel like you were bossed by a drill sergeant :-) Because we were with other adoptive families I believe we got a lot more out of the trip than we would have on a "regular" tour. It's also nice not to have to explain yet again "We're going because our child was born in Bulgaria" with the frequent reply of "Oh, how interesting... But aren't you afraid she'll want to move back?!" etc. Our daughter (15) LOVED traveling with other kids & I'm sure she enjoyed visiting cultural sites much more than if we had done it alone! We also felt very "supported" by the group when we ventured off to meet her birth family. That meeting, of course, was the highlight of the trip!”

Jane Elliott Maillard, Adoptive Parent
September 12, 2012

“July 2012 was our second visit to S. Korea; our first with The Ties Program which provided a different experience for my daughter and me. We had many new adventures and we gained so many new friends. We bonded quickly to our travel companions while exploring S. Korea through our travels, food, tours, and Korean families. Our Korean adoption agency (ESWS) was outstanding and assisted us with locating birth family members and providing information to personal questions to enhance our understanding. We again found the Korean culture to be one of great warmth, whether it was the bank teller or taxi cab driver. Seoul being such a large city has many means of excellent transportation which made it easy to get to all the places we were scheduled to visit. The Ties staff did their utmost to ensure a meaningful experience and my daugher and I have only grown closer as a result! Thank You.”

Marion Peterson, Adoptive Parent
September 12, 2012

“Bulgarian Ties 2012 was an amazing experience for our family. It was a perfect first trip for my sons back to their birth country. The Ties staff did a terrific job with every aspect of the trip...it certainly didn't feel like it was the first Bulgarian Ties trip because everything went so smoothly! It was great to travel with other adoptive families and the Connect & Chat gave the kids the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences with each other. Birth country travel is truly one of best gifts you could ever give your child!”

Maureen Ault, Adoptive Parent
September 16, 2012

“China Ties 2012 was a trip that I will cherish forever. It was my first time to go back and I am glad I went with Ties because the program handled all the logistics so perfectly, I was able to concentrate on the more important things, like the emotional/cultural experience, and not worry about missing trains or flights, or anything like that. I had a very strong sense of belonging in China...I have been studying Mandarin for quite some time now, and when we went to my home city, I had the opportunity to go shopping! (And therefore, talk) The previous day we had gone to an amusement park, and we had seen a LOT of kids/teens in school uniforms. A desire to have my own uniform was kindled inside me, so the next day, my father and I went walking around and found a clothing store. I went in and asked if they sold uniforms. "You can only get those in schools" "Oh, but I didn't see any high schools. Just an elementary school." "Their uniforms are too small for you" "Yep" "Well, my daughter is graduated. You can have her uniform. Give us your next hotel address and we will send it there. Here is the phone number." I was so blessed by her generosity, we asked if we could pay her, "No, no, it's old, it's old." Well, the postage? "No, no, really, it's old, not new." My happiness in that moment was unsurpassed…

“My daughter (age 12) and I went on the July 2012 Ties program to Bulgaria. It was a wonderful trip and a fantastic experience. The country was beautiful and the people were amazing. My daughter loved meeting the other young people in our group who were also adopted from Bulgaria. She made great friends. My daughter has a much greater understanding of her birth, her birth family and her birth country. She is proud to speak of her birth country and she now speaks with first-hand knowledge. Meeting my daughter’s birth family was emotional, eye opening and warm. My daughter was so happy to feel the hugs, kisses and tears from her first family.”

Jill Heady, Adoptive Parent
October 8, 2012