Were you scared to travel for an international adoption?

SaraW26 · 09-10-2007, 11:29 AM

Hi there. We are just starting down the road of adoption. I am very excited about international adoption. It's always been in the back of my mind as something I could see myself doing.

Now, we are having a 2nd m/c, and adoption is all I can think about. I've scoured the internet all weekend. Kazakastan(sp?) and Russia are the top 2. But now dh mentioned that he would be pretty scared to travel to those countries with all the wars, bombings, etc that are going on.

Can anyone reassure us that it's safe, and really no reason to be scared? Thanks...sara

Isaiahsmommy · 09-10-2007, 12:44 PM

I don't have any reassurance. I just wanted to thank you for asking the question. I have been wondering the same myself. We have been heavily considering adoption now that we know it will be almost impossible for another natural child but it does seem risky to go to these places. I have noticed as well that it is required that you go, often for a couple weeks. So thanks!!

~Traci~ · 09-10-2007, 12:51 PM

We got back from China on the 31st. We traveled w/ a group & had guides w/ us the entire time. We loved our time in China & weren't scared at all. I have no idea how Kaz or Russia work as to guides & whatnot but I'm sure someone around here does! If you have a guide w/ you, you should be ok. I can understand being scared w/ no guide though.

SaraW26 · 09-10-2007, 12:52 PM

Hi Holly. You're welcome..lol! Hopefully, someone has some insight.
We are strongly looking at Kazakhstan because you can maybe adopt a child under 12 mos. For this country, it looks like we could have to stay for 3 weeks, then go home for the 15 day waiting period (that will be hard to leave!!), then go back for another week or so.
Here's a website that's helped a lot.
http://www.worldpartnersadoption.org/kazakhstan.html

SaraW26 · 09-10-2007, 12:54 PM

Thanks Traci! That is reassuring about China!! And so exciting for you!! Congrats! I'm hoping Kas and Russia experience is the same as China. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

Miss-Meme · 09-10-2007, 12:56 PM

Sara, Good to see you again! I see you still have Bo as your Avi! CUTE!

We didn't adoption internationally, but I just wanted to wish you good luck!!

Calantha · 09-10-2007, 01:35 PM

I can't speak for Kaz or Russia, but we were definitely scared when we went to Colombia! As it turns out, we felt perfectly safe there (and we aren't the guide type, we struck out on our own.. a lot). We DID have a guide, we just chose not to use her very much. I'm even busy begging DH for a Colombian vacation next year! We felt very safe in China as well, and again struck out on our own without the guide quite a few times, even despite almost no knowledge of the language. We've found that people generally understand when you're not from a place and will be patient with you while you mime your needs at them! My advice is to just treat it as you would going to a big, unknown city here in the states. Be smart, but not overparanoid. We live in Chicago and being in Bogota or Hangzhou to us didn't seem much different in terms of safety.
I would say though that the adoption agencies seem to work hard at making sure you are in a safe area and have experienced people with you to help. Afterall, it looks bad for them if they send you over there and you don't have a good trip!

dna · 09-10-2007, 02:49 PM

We travelled to Ukraine in 2003 and felt completely safe. We did so without much guide presence at all. We learned how to use the taxi system and the internet cafe's. We learned to point and smile in the grocery store and everywhere else.
We travelled to China in november 2006 and I actually felt more safe there. Not sure if its becuz we were carted around all the time ? We were apart of a group. Actually it wasnt becuz we walked about the streets of Nanchang all by ourselves ALOT and we never felt unsafe. We did get 'swarmed' a few times by curious locals but it was never threatening and we made sure we had cards on us translated to say what we were doing and where we were from (being from Canada helps ALOT) LOL

China the wait is pretty much going to go up to 5 years but I have heard really really good things about Kazakhstan.

Good luck and dont be afraid, think of it as a once in a life time adventure and be sure to go with the flow

SaraW26 · 09-10-2007, 06:03 PM

Hey Amy!! Good to hear from you!! You're little boy is such a sweet heart! I haven't been on the board much lately, but I still love Bo! He really needs to get another album out...i'm losing hope on him!! lol. Thanks for the well wishes...this is going to be an exciting road!!

Thanks everyone! You all have really helped calm my fears! I wasn't really thinking about the things that could go wrong, until my DH started in...dork...lol! he's big into watching Fox News and all the politically stuff going on w/the war, etc and just mentioned that it was something to think about.

We have so many questions about international adoption, but we are so excited! It seems sooooo right and I've wondered many times in the last few days why it's taken so long to get to this point!! I'm even thought about birth control!!! I can't believe I'm even saying that after all these years!! lol..but it feels good to say it! I know...i'm a weirdo!!

Right now, our major hold up is the money. I think we need to save $$ for a year or so, but I'm going to keep researching and getting all our ducks in a row so we are ready to go full force!!!

dna · 09-10-2007, 08:11 PM

With the wait times lengthening I wouldnt wait too long. There isnt an agency that I am aware of that asks for all the money up front, usually it comes in batches.

And HI !! Sara ! I was glad to see you but sorry about your losses

and yes Bo still rocks

ask away and dont worry about what to ask and what not too...we love to answer questions

ps. I still vote for KAZ..the kids are completely adorable and if werent for the wait time with 2 kids at home we would be venturing there for #3 !

SaraW26 · 09-11-2007, 11:02 AM

I'm just so excited about all this...Kaz does seem so exciting!! I want to start calling agencies today...lol!!! Unfortunately, we need to get some barings and have alittle more in the savings. I wish it was more affordable. It really is a shame that there are so many kids and it's just too expensive.

I used to sell on ebay. I'm going to start up again, and go hog wild!! Hopefully, I can get enough nerve to ask people to donate their old stuff, so I can sell it on ebay. I know I can ask friends and family, but even thinking of advertising. I'm hoping that it's a win-win for everyone....people can get rid of the stuff they don't want and it will make money for me!! I'm from a very small community, where everyone knows you, and usually people are more then willing to help out!!

I can't wait to chat more...i love all the info!
thanks everyone again!!

mommavia · 09-11-2007, 02:53 PM

I you are interested in an infant, Korea is another program that has young children. Travel isn't required, and if you do choose to travel you only need to stay for about 3 days (depending on the agency). We adopted from Korea and traveled...and had a fantastic time! We weren't scared (although North Korea freaks me out) but there is a large military presence there, US and Korean.

Families who travel for adoption usually have escorts so you are kept safe. You can always contact the agency and ask that the travel process is like...do they have representatives there that will drive you around and translators?

Cynthia

Siv · 09-12-2007, 02:15 PM

You should go read this website!! It is wonderfull!!!!
http://www.thehigginshouse.com/index.html

DianasMom · 10-02-2007, 02:39 PM

We traveled to China, and I have to say, the thought of not being safe never crossed my mind. I was more concerned if we would be ok with the food. Besides falling in love with our daughter Diana, we also fell in love with China. It was such a fantastic trip. We had a great time. Everyone there was so nice and everything in the areas that we traveled was beautiful. We definetly plan on bringing our daughter back there for a vacation when she is old enough to remember the experience.

As for Kaz, my MIL has a co-worker who adopted from there. They were perfectly safe, but be careful of the lenght of time that you may have to stay. They were referred a little boy, then 2 days before leaving got a call asking if they wanted to also take a little girl. Of coarse they said yes. They were there for 5 weeks.

I have a co-worker whose sister adopted from Russia twice and she felt safe there too, but it is one of those programs where you have to travel there more than once.

Good luck. Adoption is such a wonderful experience!!

flt5 · 10-04-2007, 04:52 PM

I have visited Almaty in Kaz. Not to adopt (although I adopted here in the UK) - it is a strange place. The country has a lot of oil wealth and a lot of rural poverty.

The bars and clubs are all run by Kaz/Russian mafia (but we didn't have any problems with this and didn't feel unsafe). There were lots of (beautiful) prostitutes roaming the hotel. The people there mainly appear to be very poor - they are mainly quite pale skinned with very oriental eyes - the women were very stunning (tiny waists and big breasts and long thick dark hair). The food was a bit grim - they tend to serve food warm not hot. They are fond of vodka.....