Korean Heritage Camp Adoptee Panel
An Opportunity To Answer Questions From Adoptive Parents
On Saturday, July 22, I had the opportunity to sit on an Adoptee Panel through Dillon International Korean Heritage Camp. Five adult adoptees answered questions about our experience as an adoptee to the Adoptive Parents who had adoptees participating or helping out at Korea Heritage Camp. Some questions we answered were: (my answers in italics)
At what age were you told that you were adopted? I don’t remember if I ever was told or how I was told.
When did you notice that you were different from others? I really noticed in high school. And then especially in college. How did you deal with it? With the teasing and ignorant questions, I just ignored them. How did your adoptive parents help you with it? They didn’t help with it from what I recall.
How do 1st or 2nd generation Koreans interact with you? I find it interesting to converse with them and hear their stories. From my interaction, they seem to be open to listening but I do know that native Koreans have a hard time with Korean adoptees because we didn’t grow up in the culture, etc.
What is one question you get asked that annoys you? Where are you from?
The topic of abandonment came up, and we all had something to say about that
And a few other questions that I don’t remember
I really enjoy sitting on panels to help other adoptive parents understand what it means to be adopted. It is therapeutic for me too.