Seeking Culture and Identity

At IAMAdoptee, we know we are more than the culture of our adoptive homes. We thrive to provide methods to support adoptees as they seek ways to connect with birth culture and community through food, language, mentorship, adoptee programs, classes, trips and more.

Mentorship Opportunities
- Also-Known-As: The Also-Known-As Mentorship Programs fosters a safe and inclusive environment where mentees and mentors can thrive. Participants have the opportunity to be part of a community group reflective of their life experiences; discuss important topics related to adoption such as identity, family, and belonging; and participate in exciting activities in the New York City area.
- Connect-A-Kid: Connect-A-Kid’s goal is to foster a commitment to young adopted children that will connect the adoption community, promote lifelong friendships, and provide support to the children and to the entire family.
- CASPY @ Yale: CASPY is a bi-annual cultural event held on Yale’s campus that seeks to inform Chinese adoptees and their parents about Chinese culture. Two times a year, in the spring and the fall, we invite you to join us for a full day of fun activities and events in our Kids, Teens, and Parent Programs.
- CASPY @ Columbia: Chinese Adopted Siblings Program for Youth (CASPY) is an event where TASA acts as a mentor to young Asian kids who were adopted by American families. By creating pairs of siblings, we hope to engage everyone at CASPY in fun, educational activities.

Intercountry Adoptee-Centered Podcasts
- Out of the Fog: A radio podcast where stories about family, adoption and power intertwine.
- Adapted Podcast: Explore the experiences of Korean adoptees through post-reunion stories, tales of living in Korea as adults, and discussions about identity, belonging and more.
- Thicker Than Water: Listen to four people talking intimately and personally about self-identity, and the bonds of love and blood through the lens of being adopted children or adoptive parents.
- Global Adoptee Talk: A podcast about the experiences of international and transracial adoptees around the globe.
- Adoptees On: A gathering of adopted people sharing their Intimately personal stories about the Impact of adoption.
- The Rambler: This candid, one-on-one style interview chronicles the lives of adoptees and people’s lives who were touched by adoption, good, bad, and everything in between!
- Who Am I Really?: This podcast is intended to help you explore your own feelings about your adoption, accept your desire to try to understand your own personal history, and decide for yourself whether a search for reunification with your biological relatives is right for you.

Intercountry Adoptee Conferences
- International Korean Adoptee Association: IKAA Network Organizations host large-scale International Gathering. These events create the space for adoptees to come together from across the globe.
- Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Family Network: Founded in 1998, KAAN is an all-volunteer organization that is a special project under The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, fiscal sponsor. Our mission is to improve the lives of Korean-born adoptees by connecting the community and providing opportunities for dialogue, education, and support.
- American Adoption Congress: The American Adoption Congress (AAC) is an International organization devoted to family connections by providing the needed education for all members of the adoption constellation as well as those professionals within, adoption, foster care and assisted reproduction. The AAC also is an advocate for legislation on State and Federal levels which will grant all individuals the access to information his or her family or heritage.
- Rudd Adoption Conference: The Rudd Adoption Conference features both personal and professional insights that are shaping the future of adoption research, drawing heavily on the introspection and work of adult adoptees themselves.
- North American Council on Adoptable Children: hThe North American Council on Adoptable Children was designed for foster and adoptive parents seeking support and guidance, child welfare professionals looking to enhance knowledge and skills, and anyone with firsthand experience with the child welfare system.
- Alliance for the Study of Adoption and Culture: The Alliance for the Study of Adoption and Culture explores every aspect of adoption’s intersection with culture, including but not limited to scholarly examinations of adoption practice, law, art, literature, ethics, science, life experiences, film, or any other popular or academic representation of adoption.

Intercountry Adoptee Journals + Publications
- Adoptive Families: Adoptive Families is an award-winning resource for parents-to-be navigating the adoption process and for parents raising children through adoption.
- Hyphen: Hyphen is a news and culture magazine, media outlet, and community partner that illuminates Asian America through investigative features on the cultural and political trends shaping the fastest-growing population in the country.
- Korean Quarterly: Korean Quarterly is a non-profit, independent quarterly newspaper, written by and about the Korean American community of the Twin Cities and upper Midwest. We define this community to include first- and second-generation Korean Americans and their families (including non-Korean family members), adopted Koreans and their families, and bi-racial/bi-cultural Korean American people and other Asian Americans and non-Asians with an interest in Korea-related issues.

Country Of Origin-Based Programs
- KKOOM – Korea: Korean Kids and Orphanage Outreach Mission (“KKOOM”, pronounced “koom”) is a 501(c)(3) charity that provides access to education for Korean youth, such as funding for preschool and college scholarships.
- KUMFA – Korea: KUMFA advocates for the rights of unwed mothers and their children in Korea. It’s goal is to enable Korean women to have sufficient resources and support to keep their babies so that mother and child can thrive in Korean society.
- Adoptive Family Travel by the Ties Program Adoptive Family Travel by the Ties Program is adoptee owned and has extensive experience in adoption travel throughout the world. Countries include: Cambodia, China, Colombia, Guatemala, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Russia (on hold), and Vietnam. Click here to learn more!

How Do I Begin to Find "Motherland" Tours and Culture Camps?

Organizations that may have developed tours for different countries of origin:

– Your Local Adoptee Organization

– Your Adoption Agency

Adoptive Families Magazine

Featuring the National Infertility & Adoption Directory

Search the Directory

Adoptive Family Travel - The Ties Program

Adoptive Family Travel by the Ties Program is adoptee owned and has extensive experience in adoption travel throughout the world. Countries include: Cambodia, China, Colombia, Guatemala, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Russia (on hold), and Vietnam. Please reach out if you have questions about a country not listed here.

Learn More

Lotus Travel Tours

Supports families traveling back to their children’s birth country to learn its culture and seek their roots.

Learn More

Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families (Colorado)

Featuring the National Infertility & Adoption Directory

Learn More

Resources for Intercountry Adoptees by Country of Origin

China

India

Birth Country Tours
- Adopted from Missionaries of Charity (orphanage-specific group): supports and connects individuals adopted from India to the United States from the Missionaries of Charity orphanages in the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s.
- Children of International Mission of Hope (orphanage-specific group): for children and families who came through International Mission of Hope India and Vietnam to united, share experiences, as well as stay in touch with those affiliated with IMH.
- IMH Babies – Calcutta (orphanage specific groups): for anyone that was adopted from the International Mission of Hope orphanage in Calcutta, India.
- Desi Adoptees United: an Indian adoptee group (ages 18 and older) for those who live in the United States and were adopted from India.
- Indian/Nepalese Heritage Camp – Colorado
Culture Camps + Organizations
- IDesi Generation 1.5: Designed to help Indian Nepalese Heritage campers and other Indian/Nepalese adoptees to keep in contact. Open to siblings of adoptees too.
- Lost Sarees: Uniting Indian adoptees and building bridges of understanding between Indian adoptees and South Asian communities through arts, education and advocacy.
- Minnesota Adopted Desi: Network for adopted Indians living in Minnesota, sharing event information in the Indian community and the adoption community.
- Mudra Dance Studio: Mudra celebrates East Indian cultural diversity using the medium of dance and music.

Korea

Birth Country Tours
- InKAS
- GOA’L
- Nest Korea
- Me & Korea – California
- Sejong Cultural Education, Inc. – New Jersey
- ASIA Families – Maryland
- AdopteeBridge – Minnesota
Culture Camps + Organizations
- Korean Heritage Camp – Colorado
- IIA Korean Culture Camp – Iowa
- Sejong Cultural Education, Inc. – New Jersey – motherland tour and culture camp
- Camp Friendship – New Jersey
- Korean Culture Camp – Minnesota
- Camp Chingu – New York
- Camp Mujigae – New York
- Camp Mugunghwa – North Carolina
- Sae Jong Camp – Michigan
- Korean Culture Camp of Michigan – Michigan
- Kamp Kimchee – Minnesota
- Destination Korea Camp – Texas
- KIDS: Korean Identity Development Society – Washington
- Camp Choson – Wisconsin

Seeking Culture and Identity

How Do I Begin to Find "Motherland" Tours and Culture Camps?

Adoptive Families Magazine

Adoptive Family Travel - The Ties Program

Lotus Travel Tours

Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families (Colorado)

Resources for Intercountry Adoptees by Country of Origin

China

India

Korea

Latin America

Vietnam