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 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 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.

Elizabeth Kwon 11/19/25 Elizabeth Kwon 11/19/25

November Gratitude Spotlight: Ana Wilson

Elizabeth Kwon 11/4/25 Elizabeth Kwon 11/4/25

November Gratitude Spotlight: Destiny Fore

Elizabeth Kwon 10/13/25 Elizabeth Kwon 10/13/25

A Journey Back to Guatemala: How One Adoptee Found Connection Beyond Birth Search

Former Ties Traveler, Gabby Mendez, reflects on what it feels like to travel to your birth country without accurate birth records.

Elizabeth Kwon 8/28/25 Elizabeth Kwon 8/28/25

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.

Elizabeth Kwon 8/7/25 Elizabeth Kwon 8/7/25

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.

Chloé Gingrich-Howling 7/24/25 Chloé Gingrich-Howling 7/24/25

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.

Autumn Ackerson 6/9/25 Autumn Ackerson 6/9/25

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.

Autumn Ackerson 6/7/25 Autumn Ackerson 6/7/25

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.

Tanya Kaanta 6/3/25 Tanya Kaanta 6/3/25

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.

Autumn Ackerson 5/26/25 Autumn Ackerson 5/26/25

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.

Tanya Kaanta 5/13/25 Tanya Kaanta 5/13/25

What to Expect When Traveling with The Ties Program

Autumn Ackerson 4/17/25 Autumn Ackerson 4/17/25

Ties Program Participants Now Eligible to Receive Grants from CH/LSS!

Discover how Ties Program participants can now receive grant funding from CH/LSS to support heritage travel. Learn who qualifies, what the grants cover, and how to apply for this meaningful opportunity.