Homeland Visit China Pre-Travel Seminar
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Think about group homeland visits organized by The Children’s Bridge, an adoption agency with over 14 years of experience working and traveling in China.
Why go on a homeland visit with your child?
Traveling to your child’s country of birth to learn about her heritage is an irreplaceable experience. It can open the door for discussions about her culture and her adoption. I know, from first-hand experience with my children that it instils a sense of pride built on direct contact. The trip makes the culture a lively rich reality far more tangible for a child than sporadic celebrations at occasional events. Visiting China makes your child a participant in the culture of an evolving and exciting country rather than being a distant observer of a far off “foreign” land. The trip sends a strong message that your family values China and its place in your family history.
I encourage you to look at the March edition of the CB Quarterly Newsletter to read the stories of two families who took the journey in October 2005.
How old should my child be?
Children’s Bridge Homeland Visits are open to adoptees 6 years and older at the time of the trip. The adoptees who traveled on the first Children’s Bridge Homeland Visit in October 2005 were between six and 10 years old. All did amazingly well with the challenges of international travel. They adapted to the food, language, toilets, crowds, volume and schedule with as much, if not more, ease than their parents!
Should I visit the orphanage with my child?
A trip to China may or may not include a visit to your child’s orphanage. That decision is yours to make in the best interest of your child. Most of the families in the first Homeland Visit went to orphanages. I will be happy to talk to you in a general way about the variety of encounters. Four families chose not to visit orphanages for diverse reasons.
What the kids thought….
The Children’s Bridge first Homeland Visit in October 2005 was a universal hit with all the kids. They enjoyed the range of activities – from seeing ancient sights to visiting local schools – or maybe it was the unique opportunity to be in a group where every family was just like theirs that made the trip special.
Seeing, smelling, touching and being part of a living, evolving, and exciting contemporary China and sharing the adventure with kids just like them is a powerful experience. As one little girl on the trip said “…seeing where I came from and making friends that were just like me” was the best part of the trip.
