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Returning to Research: Reflections on the Rudd Institute’s Adoption Masterclass
Follow Ties owner and executive director, Tanya Kaanta, as she reflects on her time at the Rudd Adoption Research Program.
Wellness Check-In: A Guided Reflection for Adoptees
While National Wellness Month is ending, it’s never too late to practice wellness all year around. We invited Astrid Castro, Founder and CEO of Adoption Mosaic, to speak on ways for adoptees to incorporate wellness practices into your every day life.
Ties Returns to Colombia: A Journey of Connection, Culture and Homecoming
Ben Kaanta, Colombia Ties Program Manager, reflects on Ties’ return to Colombia and how geographical and cultural layers can inform an experience.
Boundaries as an Adoptee: Self-Love Tips for Adoptees From an Adoptee
Lian Norris, owner of You Can Yoga and a Chinese adoptee, provides boundary tips for adoptees.
Turning Pain Into Purpose with Simon Benn of Thriving Adoptees
Thoughts from Simon Benn of Thriving Adoptees and Tanya Kaanta, Director of the Ties Program, on healing from adoption trauma.
Kazakhstan Ties 2025: Carrying the Torch, Continuing the Legacy
Join owner Tanya Kaanta as she reflects on what Ties means to her, from her first experience in Kazakhstan in 2019 to her most recent, in 2025.
Returning to Korea: A Personal and Evolving Journey Through Heritage Travel
In this powerful reflection, Korean Ties Program Manager Sarah Kurtzahn shares her personal experience traveling to South Korea with her husband (a Korean adoptee) and their young son. From exploring Seoul in 100°F heat to navigating Korea’s evolving post-adoption landscape, Sarah reflects on how heritage travel, adoptee identity, and family connection continue to intersect in meaningful ways.
From Participant to Team Member, Reflections from Ties’ First Intern
Guatemalan adoptee Bella reflects on her return to Antigua as the first Ties Program intern. From mentoring fellow adoptees to learning and living daily life in Guatemala, she shares the emotional and cultural impact of the Service and Language heritage travel experience.
Ties Traveler: Meet Tatyana
Kazakhstan adoptee Tatyana shares her powerful 2024 Ties Program journey—reconnecting with her orphanage, embracing her culture, and finding community through heritage travel.
Ties Traveler: Meet Bella
Guatemalan adoptee Bella Faulkenberry shares her transformative experience traveling with The Ties Program. From rediscovering her heritage to building lifelong connections with fellow adoptees, Bella reflects on what it meant to return to her birth country with support, community, and love.
Ties Travelers: Meet Wen
Follow Wen's journey back to China on the 2024 China Ties trip as she visits her birthplace in Ningdu, reconnects with her roots, and reflects on identity, belonging, and the power of traveling with fellow adoptees.
Returning to China as an Adoptee: The Trip That Opened the Real Journey
China Ties Program Manager Autumn Ackerson reflects on her personal journey as a Chinese adoptee returning to her birth country—and how leading others on their own return trips has shaped her path.
Ties Travelers: Meet David
Korean adoptee David shares his powerful return-to-Korea journey with Ties—reflecting on identity, belonging, and what home truly means.
Returning to Korea as an Adoptee–Reconciling With What It Means to Belong
Ties Program Executive Director, Tanya Kaanta, reflects on life as a Korean adoptee.
Mental Health Awareness Month: Unspoken Adoptee Stressors — Part 2: The Weight of the Narrative
Explore Part 2 of The Ties Program’s Mental Health Awareness Month blog series, focusing on the unspoken adoptee stressor of “narrative burden.” Learn how adoptees and their loved ones often carry the weight of explaining their story—and how heritage travel, community, and emotional support can help lighten the load.
AANHPI Heritage Month Spotlight: Kara Griffey
Born in Kolkata and raised in Oregon, South Asian adoptee Kara Griffey shares her powerful return-to-India journey with The Ties Program—reclaiming identity, rediscovering culture, and finding lasting community during AANHPI Heritage Month.
A Long-Awaited Journey Back to Ethiopia
Join us for the inaugural Ethiopian Ties trip this December. Program Manager Rebecca Blessing shares the heartfelt journey of how this long-awaited heritage experience for Ethiopian adoptees and their loved ones finally came to life.
AANHPI Heritage Month Spotlight: Lacey Jeffrey
Chinese adoptee Lacey Jeffrey shares her journey of identity, heritage travel, and cultural connection as part of the AANHPI adoptee community. Read her story of heritage travel and finding belonging.
Mental Health Awareness Month: Unspoken Adoptee Stressors — Part 1: The Ghost Kingdoms
Explore the hidden grief of adoptee “ghost kingdoms” in Part 1 of our Mental Health Awareness Month series on unspoken adoption stressors.