[FLmom2]

Okay, we started out thinking we would adopt from Russia. A friend of ours has a little boy from Russia...after much research on potential health issues and waiting to see what will happen in Russia, we have decided the process is too unpredictable. Then we thought we were all set to proceed with a China adoption. Today, I just learned that we are not too old for Korea as I originally thought. So now I am wondering China or Korea. For those of you who considered both, why did you choose Korea over China? I have a cousin adopted from Korea over 20 years ago but she does not live in the same state. There is an active Families with Children from China here but not sure if there is a comparable Korean group here in NE Florida.
Thanks for any advice!

[hlaclair]

Well, the pluses of Korea are that 1) the children are in foster care rather than orphanages. 2) Boys and girls are both available (more boys than girls) 3) The healthcare the children receive in Korea is FAR better than that in China 4) No travel is required for Korea

For #1, some parts of China are doing foster care as well but it's pretty new and not widely spread yet.

All that being said, there is a greater need for families for China programs.

For us, the foster care and health care were more important.

Also, I can recommend an agency in FL if you go with Korea.

Holly

[FLmom2]

Thanks for your list of items to consider. In terms of what you listed, we would travel either way. We want to see the country we adopt from and our child's initial surroundings. We are excited about another trip to Asia as we went to Asia for our honeymoon. The health care and foster care is a plus with the Korea program from what I read. In terms of China, I like the predictability in their program. Also, from what I have read, the Chinese are more open to international adoption that Korea. I heard there is anti-IA sentiment in Korea as there is in Russia and that makes me nervous about the predictability of the process and timeline. Am I missing other items to consider? Not sure how much to believe all the generalizations we read about China and Korea adoptions. Thanks again.

[ahfdragonfly]

There were several reasons for us to pick Korea.

1) Health care for the babies, a friend of mine works for a pediatritions office, and she could say nothing but good things about the children; emotionally & physically. The other countries that she had seen come through the office all had more problems.

2) Depending on the agency, the time line is fairly predictable, and in some cases very fast. I have seen some children come home in 6 mos or less. (We were 9 mos)

3) Korea has some of the youngest babies to be adopted. Some as young as 4 - 6 mos at homecoming.

4) The application process is pretty straighforward & fairly simple. No long dossier to compile.

5) I had a couple 4-H kids in my club that had been adopted from Korea, so I was pretty familiar with what they and their families had been through.

6) We both were comfortable with the local agency, and felt that they were a good match for us.

Yes, Korea does have fewer children available for adoption than China, and they have some issues in country with IA, but it is the longest running IA program. Once you have been approved by your agency, there is almost no chance that you would be refused by Korea.

It was less than a year ago, that I was setting up the first meeting with our agency, and in just over 1 week, my daughter will turn 1 year old. She has been home for 3 mos now, & the emotional turmoil I was in a year ago feels like another lifetime. Follow your heart, and you will be led to your child.

Good luck!
Millie

[sarajean]

I agree with Millie and Holly as far as reasons go. Just wanted to add that as far as predictability goes, our agency was right on with every time frame they gave us, almost to the day, except for Harrison's arrival. He was home about a month earlier than we expected!

When we looked at China (briefly, b/c I am too young to adopt from China) we thought the timelines looked long and the paperwork seemed daunting. With Korea, everything looked very simply and straightforward, and this proved to be true.

Check your local library for Asian adoptee groups...ours has a group that meets once a month and encompassses any children adopted from any Asian country.
Best wishes to you and the child that will be yours!
-Sara

[MissyAmomChina]

Hi there,

Congratulations on your adoption journey. We too looked into both programs and in my opinion you won't go wrong either way. I don't ever think one country is better or one program is better etc. I think that there is just one that is a better match to you and your family.
We adopted our daughter from China last November. She came home at 13 months and had spent her first year of life in a orphanage. She was in good health when we got her--no medical concerns at all, not even diaper rash. She was not developmentally on target when she came home. However, she had caught up in all areas by the time she was home 16 weeks. It was amazing to watch. I know orphanage care can be less than ideal, but I will say so many babies are amazingly in tact when given the chance to thrive in a home. As far as dossier prep, no it's not the most fun thing to do in the world. However, for us there wasn't any different requirement for dossier documentations than there was for the home study --except papers have to get authenticated which was no big deal.

We are currently looking back into the Korean adoption program as we have a strong interest in a son. I definately think the Korean adoption program has many wonderful benefits and we are very interested in it. The one thing I'm currently working through--and I'll share with you is..... There appears to be a different level of support, connections, groups etc for the Chinese Adoption community. One thing I love is the connections we made with our travel group. esp. the families with children from the same orphanage. FCC-Families with Children from China has a very active group in our area and they offer language, dance, peer groups etc. that meet on a weekly basis. I really enjoy this--and I have yet to find the equivilant in the Korean adoption community in our area (I'm sure others have had a different experience). At this time, I'm not sure how I feel about there being different resources and supports. Perhaps you will find a different experience in your area--I just wanted to share ours.

I wish you all the best. Any way you chose it's a wonderful journey. Best of luck.

Take care,
Melissa

[FLmom2]

Thanks so much for all your posts. We hope to make a decision in the next week!

[jchrapcyn]

We liked both the China and the Korea programs.

For us it boiled down to:

-no dossier with Korea

-no travel with our agency for Korea

DH just got a new job and he will only get 2 weeks paid vacation in 2006. So the choice for him was travel to China for 2 weeks and then go straight back to work, or be at home with our son for 2 weeks after he comes home.

We'll probably do China next time for a daughter.