To Travel or Not to Travel

While most foreign countries require you to travel to bring your childhome, some countries will allow your child to be escorted to America.If you have a choice about whether or not to travel to meet your child,please consider traveling. Travel to the country of your child’s birthgives you a priceless opportunity to become more familiar with yourchild’s culture – which will be very useful as you try to give yourchild a sense of his cultural identity.


Each countryhas aspects that are fascinating and beautiful and completely differentfrom life in the United States. And the photographs you take duringyour trip, along with any of the local arts and crafts you pick up,will be a priceless resource as your child grows into adulthood. Bytraveling to bring your child home, you will have the opportunity tomeet the people who have cared for him and see the cultural environmentthat was “home” to your child. Your memories of these people and placeswill prove invaluable when your child asks, “Where did I come from?”

To check the travel requirements for each country, visit the country program page.

The Escort Option

If you choose to have your child escorted, here are some ideas on what tobring to the airport when you see your child for the first time:

• Dependingon your child’s age, you may need a diaper bag with a change ofclothes, diapers, formula, bottles, nipples, and some bibs, along witha few small, age-appropriate toys.
• Lots of film for your camera! And don’t forget the video camera.
• Acarefully selected group of relatives and/or friends. (You will knowbest who to include in your trip to the airport to meet your child.)Some children come off the plane smiling and cooing, while otherchildren are screaming at full volume. If you’re in doubt, keep theairport greeting group small. You can always have a big party at homein a few days.

© Mary M. Strickert