Ties Program Blog

Preparing for Heritage Travel

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Reflections from Vietnam: A Journey of Connection and Discovery
Reflections from Vietnam: A Journey of Connection and Discovery
Is Your Citizenship Status Correct?
Is Your Citizenship Status Correct?
Reflections from India: Discovering Roots and Building Bonds
Reflections from India: Discovering Roots and Building Bonds
How to Plan Your Heritage Journey for 2025
How to Plan Your Heritage Journey for 2025
When Private Travel Is Right
When Private Travel Is Right
Six Reasons Why Group Travel Is (Usually) The Best Choice For Adoptees and Their Loved Ones
Six Reasons Why Group Travel Is (Usually) The Best Choice For Adoptees and Their Loved Ones
Questions Adoptees Should Ask When Choosing Travel Companions for a Heritage Journey
Questions Adoptees Should Ask When Choosing Travel Companions for a Heritage Journey
8 Things to Know Before Starting a Birth Family Search
8 Things to Know Before Starting a Birth Family Search
Birth Country Connections and Their Impact -- The Heart of the Journey

Ties Travelers Reflect

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Kazakhstan Ties 2025: Carrying the Torch, Continuing the Legacy
Kazakhstan Ties 2025: Carrying the Torch, Continuing the Legacy
Returning to Korea: A Personal and Evolving Journey Through Heritage Travel
Returning to Korea: A Personal and Evolving Journey Through Heritage Travel
From Participant to Team Member, Reflections from Ties’ First Intern
From Participant to Team Member, Reflections from Ties’ First Intern
Ties Traveler: Meet Tatyana
Ties Traveler: Meet Tatyana
Ties Traveler: Meet Bella
Ties Traveler: Meet Bella
Ties Travelers: Meet Wen
Ties Travelers: Meet Wen
Returning to China as an Adoptee: The Trip That Opened the Real Journey
Returning to China as an Adoptee: The Trip That Opened the Real Journey
Ties Travelers: Meet David
Ties Travelers: Meet David
AANHPI Heritage Month Spotlight: Kara Griffey
AANHPI Heritage Month Spotlight: Kara Griffey

Hear From Our Team

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Turning Pain Into Purpose with Simon Benn of Thriving Adoptees
Turning Pain Into Purpose with Simon Benn of Thriving Adoptees
Returning to Korea: A Personal and Evolving Journey Through Heritage Travel
Returning to Korea: A Personal and Evolving Journey Through Heritage Travel
Returning to China as an Adoptee: The Trip That Opened the Real Journey
Returning to China as an Adoptee: The Trip That Opened the Real Journey
Mental Health Awareness Month: Unspoken Adoptee Stressors — Part 2: The Weight of the Narrative
Mental Health Awareness Month: Unspoken Adoptee Stressors — Part 2: The Weight of the Narrative
A Long-Awaited Journey Back to Ethiopia
A Long-Awaited Journey Back to Ethiopia
Mental Health Awareness Month: Unspoken Adoptee Stressors — Part 1: The Ghost Kingdoms
Mental Health Awareness Month: Unspoken Adoptee Stressors — Part 1: The Ghost Kingdoms
What to Expect When Traveling with The Ties Program This Summer
What to Expect When Traveling with The Ties Program This Summer
Ties Program Participants Now Eligible to Receive Grants from CH/LSS!
Ties Program Participants Now Eligible to Receive Grants from CH/LSS!
Honoring Black History Month: A Commitment to Celebration and Support
Honoring Black History Month: A Commitment to Celebration and Support

Not what you’re looking for? Search all of our categories and archives or start from our most recent reflections below.

Mental Health Awareness Month: Unspoken Adoptee Stressors — Part 2: The Weight of the Narrative
The Adoption Journey, Resources & Support Autumn Ackerson The Adoption Journey, Resources & Support Autumn Ackerson

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.

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