A Perfect Fit
From as little as I could remember, I was always curious about my roots. Of course, as time passed and I got older, that nagging curiosity grew more and more into a necessity. I’m sure many adoptees can understand the feeling of not belonging. When I watched YouTube videos of birth family reunions, the one main thing they always had in common was that they could finally come to peace with their identities. The desire to find out who I am and to be finally able to piece together my past was able to be made into a reality with the Seoul Sisters Tour.
This summer of the year 2022, my younger brother, father, mother, and I all finally had the opportunity to fly to Korea. We had planned this trip for years and was pushed back two, nearly three years. After hours upon hours of stress, we were eventually able to arrive and meet Kourtni and Heidi. Right off the bat, they immediately wanted to help and make sure everyone felt welcomed. Despite the anxiousness that followed with being in a whole different country in a place where you couldn’t communicate easily with others, they brought a comfort very few people could.
Of course during our stay we were able to visit tour sites, go shopping, and eat delicious food. However, the most valuable part of the trip was having the special occasion of meeting my birth family. I can’t even put into words how much my overthinking tormented me all the way to the meeting. Yet, every step of the way, Kourtni and Heidi were there for me, for us. They both put enormous amounts of effort getting everything organized, trying to make our trip perfect. I was so uneasy about having a translator hear everything I had to say. Yet, Heidi was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. My family and I are very lucky to have such a funny, easy going woman be there in such an uncomfortable encounter. She treated me like her own family. I now even consider her a part of mine. During my stay I was sick and grumpy for a good portion of it. Nonetheless, Kourtni and Heidi both went out of their way to check up on me, pay for taxis to send me back to the hotel, and even found a clinic to give me medicine.
My whole experience cannot nearly be put into a couple paragraphs, but neither can words even explain how remarkable those two women are. I am forever grateful to them and Seoul Sisters as a whole. Although it may not have completely fixed my identity crisis like I may had hoped years ago, it allowed me to value my family of both blood and non-blood, created relationships that could last a lifetime, and truly pushed me to want to become a better version of myself.
This summer of the year 2022, my younger brother, father, mother, and I all finally had the opportunity to fly to Korea. We had planned this trip for years and was pushed back two, nearly three years. After hours upon hours of stress, we were eventually able to arrive and meet Kourtni and Heidi. Right off the bat, they immediately wanted to help and make sure everyone felt welcomed. Despite the anxiousness that followed with being in a whole different country in a place where you couldn’t communicate easily with others, they brought a comfort very few people could.
Of course during our stay we were able to visit tour sites, go shopping, and eat delicious food. However, the most valuable part of the trip was having the special occasion of meeting my birth family. I can’t even put into words how much my overthinking tormented me all the way to the meeting. Yet, every step of the way, Kourtni and Heidi were there for me, for us. They both put enormous amounts of effort getting everything organized, trying to make our trip perfect. I was so uneasy about having a translator hear everything I had to say. Yet, Heidi was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. My family and I are very lucky to have such a funny, easy going woman be there in such an uncomfortable encounter. She treated me like her own family. I now even consider her a part of mine. During my stay I was sick and grumpy for a good portion of it. Nonetheless, Kourtni and Heidi both went out of their way to check up on me, pay for taxis to send me back to the hotel, and even found a clinic to give me medicine.
My whole experience cannot nearly be put into a couple paragraphs, but neither can words even explain how remarkable those two women are. I am forever grateful to them and Seoul Sisters as a whole. Although it may not have completely fixed my identity crisis like I may had hoped years ago, it allowed me to value my family of both blood and non-blood, created relationships that could last a lifetime, and truly pushed me to want to become a better version of myself.
Two Years of Planning
Planning our trip with Kourtni began more than two years before we actually visited Korea . My son Martin knew that he wanted to go to his birth country one day, but wasn’t sure when he would be ready. I began investigating our options and came across Seoul Sisters Travel. During the first conversation I had with Kourtni I sensed that Martin’s comfort level and readiness were top priority for her. She spent time on the phone with both of us, listening to our concerns and helping us decide when the right time would be. After our initial conversations we decided to hold off. A year later we reached out to Kourtni again and began the planning of our family trip.
In June of 2019 we travelled to Korea. It was a small group consisting of myself, my husband Brad, daughter Emmye, son Martin and my sister, Tara. Kourtni and her thoughtful, hardworking team led us through our trip with ease, navigating the sightseeing, restaurants and cultural attractions. They took our requests and planned daily itineraries to meet everyone's needs. We found the trip emotional at times so not having to worry about the details of travelling allowed us to relax and enjoy each others company. We had an amazing trip and are so grateful to Kourtni, Heidi and Che for making it so special.
In June of 2019 we travelled to Korea. It was a small group consisting of myself, my husband Brad, daughter Emmye, son Martin and my sister, Tara. Kourtni and her thoughtful, hardworking team led us through our trip with ease, navigating the sightseeing, restaurants and cultural attractions. They took our requests and planned daily itineraries to meet everyone's needs. We found the trip emotional at times so not having to worry about the details of travelling allowed us to relax and enjoy each others company. We had an amazing trip and are so grateful to Kourtni, Heidi and Che for making it so special.
Juggling Family Dynamics
When I first embarked on the planning of my first trip to Korea, I wasn't planning on a birth search. I was looking for assistance in coordinating a trip to Korea for 8 adults (my father, brother, sister, and our significant others) to explore the country. It was surprising to me how limited my options were and I began to get nervous. Luckily, I found the Seoul Sisters site and Kourtni quickly put me at ease. She was so generous and informative with her knowledge of not only Korea, but also the birth search process that I decided to go for it. Although nothing arose from my birth search, I am so glad that I was able to make a solid effort to find my family and couldn't have done it without Kourtni.
Accommodating the desires of such a large group can be tricky, but Kourtni did a fantastic job! She made sure that all of our interests were addressed and was able to put together an itinerary that suited us all. She also was able to modify it based on the weather, changes due to a national holiday that occurred during that time, and our preferences during the trip. We enjoyed every stop and activity, particularly a cooking class that left us stuffed and so happy! Additionally, one of our group members had a health issue that sadly required her to stay home. Kourtni was so understanding and made sure we were stress-free. Also, Kourtni really went the extra mile for us, such as when we couldn't find artificial sweetener for a diabetic in our group. She went on a hunt throughout Seoul until she found it! That kind of personal attention and flexibility made the trip and entire planning process worth every penny.
Kourtni spent over a year helping us coordinate. By the time we left for the trip, I was calling her my "unni" or big sister in Korean. I truly feel like Kourtni is not just a friend but my Korean sister. I can't wait till we can see each other again! --Much Love, Susan (Korean Adoptee)
My Father's Testimony:
Seoul Sisters did an excellent job introducing me and my family to Korea. Their personalized service is much appreciated and included seeking our input on what we wanted to do prior to the trip, providing us with their insight on what to do, being flexible enough to change the schedule if there were any changes we wanted to make while traveling, and being incredibly attentive to me and my family all throughout the trip.
Kourtni and MJ did an excellent job showing us exactly what Korea is about, from the old to the new. They were fantastic tour guides, and with 7 in our party, I realize this was no easy task. During the planning and on the trip, they were so kind, thoughtful, and responsive to our needs they made our trip very easy, even though we had a jam packed list of events each day. I don't believe we would have learned and seen as much as we did without their professional help. We also had the pleasure to get to know Kourtni and MJ, not only as extremely professional tour guides and experts on Korea, but also as good friends who were personally concerned about us! I want to sincerely thank them for all their hard work and dedication to making our family trip so successful.
Accommodating the desires of such a large group can be tricky, but Kourtni did a fantastic job! She made sure that all of our interests were addressed and was able to put together an itinerary that suited us all. She also was able to modify it based on the weather, changes due to a national holiday that occurred during that time, and our preferences during the trip. We enjoyed every stop and activity, particularly a cooking class that left us stuffed and so happy! Additionally, one of our group members had a health issue that sadly required her to stay home. Kourtni was so understanding and made sure we were stress-free. Also, Kourtni really went the extra mile for us, such as when we couldn't find artificial sweetener for a diabetic in our group. She went on a hunt throughout Seoul until she found it! That kind of personal attention and flexibility made the trip and entire planning process worth every penny.
Kourtni spent over a year helping us coordinate. By the time we left for the trip, I was calling her my "unni" or big sister in Korean. I truly feel like Kourtni is not just a friend but my Korean sister. I can't wait till we can see each other again! --Much Love, Susan (Korean Adoptee)
My Father's Testimony:
Seoul Sisters did an excellent job introducing me and my family to Korea. Their personalized service is much appreciated and included seeking our input on what we wanted to do prior to the trip, providing us with their insight on what to do, being flexible enough to change the schedule if there were any changes we wanted to make while traveling, and being incredibly attentive to me and my family all throughout the trip.
Kourtni and MJ did an excellent job showing us exactly what Korea is about, from the old to the new. They were fantastic tour guides, and with 7 in our party, I realize this was no easy task. During the planning and on the trip, they were so kind, thoughtful, and responsive to our needs they made our trip very easy, even though we had a jam packed list of events each day. I don't believe we would have learned and seen as much as we did without their professional help. We also had the pleasure to get to know Kourtni and MJ, not only as extremely professional tour guides and experts on Korea, but also as good friends who were personally concerned about us! I want to sincerely thank them for all their hard work and dedication to making our family trip so successful.
Bringing Seoul Home
Let's put it this way: My 16-year-old adopted Korean daughter had only a passing interest in her homeland a few months ago. Now she has a huge Korean flag on her bedroom wall, can't wait to go back again, listens day and night to K-Pop music, and still texts Kourtni and calls her 'Auntie.' That's how powerful, perfect and personal our tour with Seoul Sisters was.
Like you, I imagine, I read through the testimonials on this website and wondered if they were too good to be true. Our family had resigned itself to being part of a 'big group' tour in Korea before we stumbled across Seoul Sisters. We spent a year making plans and getting advice from Kourtni on everything from plane tickets to destination options. In the end, she asked my wife, myself, our daughter and our 13-year-old son - himself a Guatemalan adoptee - to each separately email her a list of things we wanted to do on the trip. Then she wove them all into an incredible 12-day adventure, and delivered spectacularly on every bit of it.
The planning was detailed and flawless. The itinerary was well-paced, not too busy and not too slow. We were delighted with some of the surprises she included, such as an unbelievable comedy cooking show in Seoul that had us in fits of tears. The accommodations were outstanding at every stop. From Seoul to Gyeounju to Busan to Daegu, we could not have asked for more in the planning and execution of the trip. That alone would be enough for me to heartily recommend Seoul Sisters.
But here's the piece that I couldn't have imagined or possibly put a price upon. Kourtni and Juhee truly became part of our family during those two weeks. My daughter, a beautiful and very shy young woman, has never bonded so deeply with an adult woman other than my wife. We visited Korea in the spring, precisely as the cherry blossoms were bursting out everywhere, and in 12 days we watched our daughter blossom into her heritage with equal awe and beauty. Kourtni and Juhee gave us that gift - not just with their outstanding professionalism and planning, but with the authenticity of their hearts. It overwhelms me still to think about it.
We'll take a similar trip to Guatemala in a few years, for our son. We've asked Kourtni and Juhee to work on their Spanish and be ready.
Pastor Don Bosley, Melody, Faith & Carlos
Like you, I imagine, I read through the testimonials on this website and wondered if they were too good to be true. Our family had resigned itself to being part of a 'big group' tour in Korea before we stumbled across Seoul Sisters. We spent a year making plans and getting advice from Kourtni on everything from plane tickets to destination options. In the end, she asked my wife, myself, our daughter and our 13-year-old son - himself a Guatemalan adoptee - to each separately email her a list of things we wanted to do on the trip. Then she wove them all into an incredible 12-day adventure, and delivered spectacularly on every bit of it.
The planning was detailed and flawless. The itinerary was well-paced, not too busy and not too slow. We were delighted with some of the surprises she included, such as an unbelievable comedy cooking show in Seoul that had us in fits of tears. The accommodations were outstanding at every stop. From Seoul to Gyeounju to Busan to Daegu, we could not have asked for more in the planning and execution of the trip. That alone would be enough for me to heartily recommend Seoul Sisters.
But here's the piece that I couldn't have imagined or possibly put a price upon. Kourtni and Juhee truly became part of our family during those two weeks. My daughter, a beautiful and very shy young woman, has never bonded so deeply with an adult woman other than my wife. We visited Korea in the spring, precisely as the cherry blossoms were bursting out everywhere, and in 12 days we watched our daughter blossom into her heritage with equal awe and beauty. Kourtni and Juhee gave us that gift - not just with their outstanding professionalism and planning, but with the authenticity of their hearts. It overwhelms me still to think about it.
We'll take a similar trip to Guatemala in a few years, for our son. We've asked Kourtni and Juhee to work on their Spanish and be ready.
Pastor Don Bosley, Melody, Faith & Carlos
Trip of a Lifetime
As a Korean adult adoptee, returning to Korea was something that I had dreamed of doing someday. I had opened my adoption file years ago so that if my biological family ever came looking for me, they could find me. But I knew the chances were slim to none that that would ever happen. But, along my journey, I was able to find Kim, who flew to the Portland airport with me and 98 or so other orphans in July of 1960. Her adoptive parents and mine were good friends and they all decided to adopt each of us at the same time. But our families had lost touch over the years. With the advent of technology and Facebook, Kim, who lives in Georgia, reached out to me and we were able to reconnect a few years ago. Finding Kim and her family is a part of my story, my history, and my roots. Kim’s daughter, Wallis, now lives in Portland and today, our families are extremely close and I am so grateful to call Kim my sister. All that being said, I’ve realized that sometimes the things we are searching for are not what they seem. And the things we stumble upon in life can often fulfill us if we let them.
So when I decided that this would be the year I would return to Seoul, I did what any smart consumer would do, I Googled “Adoptee Korean tours” and Seoul Sisters Tour & Travel popped up – I immediately recognized Kourtni Rader’s name from her past work with Korean Adult Adoptees. I knew that if I was going back to Seoul, it would be an emotional journey. And if I was going to do this, I had to do it right. After meeting with Kourtni, I knew that she could provide me the experience and empathy I was looking for. I mostly wanted to see the historical landmarks of my early life – Seoul City Hall, where I was abandoned; the orphanage I lived in next to the Church of Christ, and Ilsan Center where Molly Holt lives. During my visit with Molly she personally reviewed my file, and filled in so many of the blanks of what Seoul was like in 1960 – the poverty, the hunger, and the hundreds of babies. I was also able to pay my respects to her parents, Harry & Bertha Holt, who are both buried there.
Kourtni and her counterpart, MJ were with us day and night. They helped us navigate the bus, train and taxi system. They translated for us, haggled for us at the night markets, and ensured we got to see what everyday life is like for South Koreans. We saw and felt the safety of moving about freely in a city of over 8 million people where guns are illegal. We experienced what a state of the art transportation system looks like where cars are completely optional. We got to taste traditional Korean cuisine and immerse ourselves in a culture that I fell absolutely in love with.
This was a trip of a lifetime for myself and my 18-year old daughter. Experiencing this with her is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. And because of Kourtni and MJ, we are already planning our next trip to Korea.
Lori Stegmann
So when I decided that this would be the year I would return to Seoul, I did what any smart consumer would do, I Googled “Adoptee Korean tours” and Seoul Sisters Tour & Travel popped up – I immediately recognized Kourtni Rader’s name from her past work with Korean Adult Adoptees. I knew that if I was going back to Seoul, it would be an emotional journey. And if I was going to do this, I had to do it right. After meeting with Kourtni, I knew that she could provide me the experience and empathy I was looking for. I mostly wanted to see the historical landmarks of my early life – Seoul City Hall, where I was abandoned; the orphanage I lived in next to the Church of Christ, and Ilsan Center where Molly Holt lives. During my visit with Molly she personally reviewed my file, and filled in so many of the blanks of what Seoul was like in 1960 – the poverty, the hunger, and the hundreds of babies. I was also able to pay my respects to her parents, Harry & Bertha Holt, who are both buried there.
Kourtni and her counterpart, MJ were with us day and night. They helped us navigate the bus, train and taxi system. They translated for us, haggled for us at the night markets, and ensured we got to see what everyday life is like for South Koreans. We saw and felt the safety of moving about freely in a city of over 8 million people where guns are illegal. We experienced what a state of the art transportation system looks like where cars are completely optional. We got to taste traditional Korean cuisine and immerse ourselves in a culture that I fell absolutely in love with.
This was a trip of a lifetime for myself and my 18-year old daughter. Experiencing this with her is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. And because of Kourtni and MJ, we are already planning our next trip to Korea.
Lori Stegmann
Family Trip Full of Memories
My husband and I have three children adopted from Korea, twin girls and a boy. I am also a Korean adoptee. Our children are 8 and 10 which may seem young for a trip halfway around the world. Our husband and I had wanted to return to Korea even though we had been three times already. We had not ever left Seoul and the trips were very much focused on our children's adoption. Although rewarding we hadn't yet felt we had gotten a feel for Korea, the country
I met Kourtni at Korean Heritage Camp in Colorado and after hearing about Seoul Sisters, knew that it would be a fit for our family. I commend Kourtni for keeping an open mind about taking younger children. Although I know she had some reservations she was very open about planning the trip with us. We really wanted to take our children sooner while they were young enough to just soak in the country, without the pressure of birth family search decisions etc. We thought seeing the country without that pressure might help them make the decision later a little easier.
We spent 10 days in Korea with Kourtni (Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan). We also had the pleasure of meeting her volunteers Jinhee and Cody. They were a wonderful additions to Kourtni's team. They helped with translation and guiding us to and from our various activities, but they were more than just guides. They were truly lovely people and such a joy to have along with us. We took a cooking class, shopped, visited a fish market (not to be missed as I don't think there is anything like it in the USA), hiked around beautiful temples, took in Everland (a highlight for our children) and sampled the Korean food. We also managed visits with our children's foster families which were very meaningful parts of our trip. Kourtni did such a beautiful job putting together a trip that not only my husband and I could appreciate but our children as well. They had so much fun and still talk about Kourtni, Jinhee and Cody and the wonderful trip we took with them. It was quite impressive that this was the first time she had undertaken a trip with younger children. I never would've known that if she had not told me. She handled it with such patience, grace and humor. I so appreciated that given I'm well aware how having young children in a foreign country could turn "not so fun" in the blink of an eye.
I will be ever so grateful to Kourtni and her team for creating such a memorable and 'stress-free' experience. We felt so well taken care of, pampered and also made some lifelong friends in the process. I can't imagine undertaking this trip without her. I also appreciated her way of putting together an experience that taught us what we could handle if we decide to make this trip again. My husband and I definitely walked away with some valuable tools, resources and knowledge that would give us the confidence to visit Korea someday on our own.
Thanks Kourtni and Seoul Sisters!
The Cail Family (Matt, April, Ben, Lindy and Piper)
I met Kourtni at Korean Heritage Camp in Colorado and after hearing about Seoul Sisters, knew that it would be a fit for our family. I commend Kourtni for keeping an open mind about taking younger children. Although I know she had some reservations she was very open about planning the trip with us. We really wanted to take our children sooner while they were young enough to just soak in the country, without the pressure of birth family search decisions etc. We thought seeing the country without that pressure might help them make the decision later a little easier.
We spent 10 days in Korea with Kourtni (Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan). We also had the pleasure of meeting her volunteers Jinhee and Cody. They were a wonderful additions to Kourtni's team. They helped with translation and guiding us to and from our various activities, but they were more than just guides. They were truly lovely people and such a joy to have along with us. We took a cooking class, shopped, visited a fish market (not to be missed as I don't think there is anything like it in the USA), hiked around beautiful temples, took in Everland (a highlight for our children) and sampled the Korean food. We also managed visits with our children's foster families which were very meaningful parts of our trip. Kourtni did such a beautiful job putting together a trip that not only my husband and I could appreciate but our children as well. They had so much fun and still talk about Kourtni, Jinhee and Cody and the wonderful trip we took with them. It was quite impressive that this was the first time she had undertaken a trip with younger children. I never would've known that if she had not told me. She handled it with such patience, grace and humor. I so appreciated that given I'm well aware how having young children in a foreign country could turn "not so fun" in the blink of an eye.
I will be ever so grateful to Kourtni and her team for creating such a memorable and 'stress-free' experience. We felt so well taken care of, pampered and also made some lifelong friends in the process. I can't imagine undertaking this trip without her. I also appreciated her way of putting together an experience that taught us what we could handle if we decide to make this trip again. My husband and I definitely walked away with some valuable tools, resources and knowledge that would give us the confidence to visit Korea someday on our own.
Thanks Kourtni and Seoul Sisters!
The Cail Family (Matt, April, Ben, Lindy and Piper)
Family Tour to Meet Birth Mother
Our family had an amazing trip to Korea! Seoul Sisters planned our trip based on personal needs and preferences.
We visited the orphanage where our daughter was adopted and met her birth mother and foster mother. We traveled the city and countryside, visited palaces,museums,gardens and various shopping districts. We also enjoyed delicious Korean meals daily. It was definitely a memorable as well as life-changing experience! |
Taste of Korea: Family Style
The trip to Korea with Kourtni and Seoul Sisters was fabulous!
Kourtni exceeded our expectations! The food, sightseeing and shopping were wonderful. We loved it all. Kourtni's customization allows everyone to experience the parts of Korea that interest them. The best was getting a feel for Korea and how people move and live in their day to day lives. Seoul Sister's tours gives a taste of Korea that you didn't anticipate. It was a wonderful trip, tour and family experience. |
Crawford Family Tour
When you find that you want to finally act on an idea that dates back to 1986 you face the task of making sure that it will be exactly the kind of experience that you had envisioned it would be over all those years. In fact the fears of not knowing how to assure that result is one of the main reasons why acting on that dream kept getting put off. Our commitment to the idea of making a trip to South Korea was born in with the arrival of our two adopted children in 1986. Our daughter LeAnn (Yeong Nan) and our son Brett (Min Ho), biological brother and sister, joined our family in September of that year. At the time we adopted them we were not required to travel to Korea as part of the adoption process, so the idea of someday returning to Korea with them was not only something we wanted for their benefit, but also a desire for us to visit their homeland. Both my wife and I are retired and other circumstances now allowed us to turn our plans into reality. We faced the uncertainty of how to proceed with the plans for a trip. Our son Brett has always been the one who had the greatest interest it the cultural background and traditions of his Korean heritage, and he had the most clear idea of things that our trip should entail. As we tackled the process of planning our trip we could sense how ill prepared we were to assure that all the time, effort, expense, and our long awaited anticipation for this trip would be successful.
Then thanks to word of mouth and an internet search we discovered Kourtni Rader, an adult Korean adoptee, who organized trips to Korea for other adult adoptees. When we expressed our intention to visit Korea as a family it was Kourtni who assisted us in making our trip happen. It was through Seoul Sisters Tour and Travel, specializing in organizing trips for Adult Adoptees and their Adoptee Families, that Kourtni worked with us. She spent much time before the trip was even scheduled working with us to get a feeling for what we wanted our trip to be. She took our input based to a large extent on what were the cultural things that Brett wanted to explore and started to to put together an itinerary for our visit. As time past and we had pretty much settled on what we would be doing in Korea, she again spent a great deal of effort on the details of how we would accomplish the things we wanted to do. So that by the time we set the dates for our trip and bought our plane tickets ( also through a referral form from Kourtni) we received an itinerary for our trip that detailed our activities on an almost hour to hour basis from our arrival at the airport in Seoul the afternoon of May 10th until the the time we boarded the van that was taking back to the airport on May 20th.
It would be easy to write on and on about all the things we did while we were in Korea, but for what this letter is about, let us state that our trip was every thing we had hoped for and more. A great deal of the more was due to what Kourtni and our wonderful Korean guide, Jiyoung Yoo, extended to us in the loving and caring attention to us and the sincere friendship they displayed for us.
What a wonderful feeling it is to know that after all the planning and expense of making the commitment to such important undertaking as we did in our trip to Korea with our children that we have only great memories and the satisfaction that it more than worth the investment. For that Kourtni, Jiyoung and the travel agency Seoul Sisters Tour and Travel have our unending gratitude.
Sandy, Lance, LeAnn and Brett Crawford.
Then thanks to word of mouth and an internet search we discovered Kourtni Rader, an adult Korean adoptee, who organized trips to Korea for other adult adoptees. When we expressed our intention to visit Korea as a family it was Kourtni who assisted us in making our trip happen. It was through Seoul Sisters Tour and Travel, specializing in organizing trips for Adult Adoptees and their Adoptee Families, that Kourtni worked with us. She spent much time before the trip was even scheduled working with us to get a feeling for what we wanted our trip to be. She took our input based to a large extent on what were the cultural things that Brett wanted to explore and started to to put together an itinerary for our visit. As time past and we had pretty much settled on what we would be doing in Korea, she again spent a great deal of effort on the details of how we would accomplish the things we wanted to do. So that by the time we set the dates for our trip and bought our plane tickets ( also through a referral form from Kourtni) we received an itinerary for our trip that detailed our activities on an almost hour to hour basis from our arrival at the airport in Seoul the afternoon of May 10th until the the time we boarded the van that was taking back to the airport on May 20th.
It would be easy to write on and on about all the things we did while we were in Korea, but for what this letter is about, let us state that our trip was every thing we had hoped for and more. A great deal of the more was due to what Kourtni and our wonderful Korean guide, Jiyoung Yoo, extended to us in the loving and caring attention to us and the sincere friendship they displayed for us.
What a wonderful feeling it is to know that after all the planning and expense of making the commitment to such important undertaking as we did in our trip to Korea with our children that we have only great memories and the satisfaction that it more than worth the investment. For that Kourtni, Jiyoung and the travel agency Seoul Sisters Tour and Travel have our unending gratitude.
Sandy, Lance, LeAnn and Brett Crawford.
Birth Family Reunion
May 20th, 2012 will be a day I will always remember. It wouldn’t have been possible without the help and effort from Kourtni Rader. Growing up, I was pretty intent on how my life was going, the love my mother and father showed me made me feel as if I was blood. Never had interest in searching for my birth family. One summer my wife and I hosted two exchange students from Korea and that changed my perspective and sparked my interest about the culture and my birth family. I started doing some research on birth searches and who pops up..... Kourtni, she was my very first contact and my new friend. She told me where to start and coached me on the emotional side of doing a birth search, as I like to call it “keeping it real”. I filled out the paperwork and sent it in for a search and two weeks later I received news that they found them, and that they were eager to meet me. First person I told was Kourtni and she told me about a tour she was putting together, and I was hooked.
Kourtni did everything in her power to make sure my first experience back to Korea was memorable and fun. The cultural aspect of the tour was amazing. I enjoyed learning new things about the country I was born in. The museums, landmarks, Jeju island, bullet train to Busan, all the amazing food, and new friendships I developed are memories I will cherish for all times. Kourtni provided translators, transportation, and anything else I needed to make sure I was taken care of. From the beginning until the end of the tour Kourtni continuously reminded me that this was my tour and she will do whatever it takes to make us happy. Jiyoung was a huge help throughout the tour. Starting with simple translations in the market to translating at all of my family gatherings. I was able to speak and feel the emotions through Jiyoung. Kourtni and Jiyoung also encouraged my family to join us during the tour group activities. This made me feel a stronger bond with my family as well as our tour group. I can't thank Kourtni enough for all the support she showed while making this journey one to remember. If your interested in learning more about the Korean culture, doing a birth search, or meeting your family for the first time I highly recommend any and everybody to contact Kourtni Rader and Seoul Sisters Tour and Travel. Justin Drulias |
Through the Eyes of a Spouse
Although my husband is Korean and we often speak openly about his adoption, I never imagined in a million years that I would be traveling around the world to a completely different country. I must say that I had no interest in traveling to Korea before my husband Justin felt the urge to search for his birth family and research the Korean culture. I was a little hesitant at first with all of the details of the trip but as my husband became more excited then so did I. I wanted to go and be a support system for him. I knew there would be an overwhelming swarm of emotions he would be facing and I wanted to be there to cherish the good, bad, and life changing moments with him.
As our trip began I found myself saying I was only there as a support system. Within a few days I found Korea to be a breath of fresh air not only for my husband but also for me. I learned a lot about myself throughout this trip. To see the pride that South Korea has for it's people and culture was astonishing. Although I was not an adoptee, Kourtni went above and beyond to make sure that I felt like apart of the tour. I never felt as if I was just tagging along for the ride. Kourtni knew how important it was to my husband and I to connect with his birth family and she made numerous changes to make things happen. For someone to notice intricate details about a person and incorporate activities into the tour to make them feel welcomed is above and beyond what we expected. That is just what Kourtni did. All of her employees gave excellent service also. I would definitely refer anyone who wants to travel to South Korea to use Seoul Sisters Tour and Travel. Overall I must say that it was a journey full of emotions. I really enjoyed Korea, the people, and the culture. We made life long memories and new friendships. I will never be able to put into words the gratitude that I have towards Kourtni for making Korea such an outstanding experience for my husband and I. Donita Drulias |
First Trip to Korea
I am an adult Korean adoptee; I reached a pivotal point and made a HUGE decision to return to my Motherland since my adoption February 1969. It was really important for me to find a tour that would be the right fit for me. I wanted to learn about my Korean culture and heritage, connect with other Korean adoptees and travel to various parts of Korea.
I originally planned to go with a different tour group, and then a friend told me about SeoulSisters Tour and Travel. I called Kourtni and talked to her at length and started getting really excited about what she was able to offer compared to the other tour. SeoulSisters Tour and Travel was able to personalize my tour based on my interests and goals. Seoul Sisters Tour and Travel isn't a cookie-cutter tour--it is designed to cater to the individual.
I expressed that I wanted to visit my adoption agency; my birth city and I also expressed interest in visiting other cities besides Seoul, such as Busan and Jeju Island. I was convinced that the Seoul Sisters Tour and Travel was the best fit for me based on the individualized service and Kourtni's passion and excitement that radiates and is highly contagious.
Prior to going to Korea, Kourtni was always in contact sending helpful hints, friendly reminders, checking in on how I was feeling, was there anything specific I was looking to buy when I was in Korea, etc.
The group I went with was small, just two other adoptees and myself compared to the last group of twenty plus. Because the group was small, Kourtni was able to support each of us in any capacity that was needed: transportation to our visit our birth cities, interpreters and emotional support.
I received the full experience that I was looking for and more. I learned about my Korean culture and heritage, connected with other Korean adoptees living in Korea, as did the other members of my group of adoptees, experienced Seoul, and traveled to Busan and beautiful Jeju Island. This was a special learning experience for me as well as a wonderful way for anyone to visit Korea.
Joy Backstrom
I originally planned to go with a different tour group, and then a friend told me about SeoulSisters Tour and Travel. I called Kourtni and talked to her at length and started getting really excited about what she was able to offer compared to the other tour. SeoulSisters Tour and Travel was able to personalize my tour based on my interests and goals. Seoul Sisters Tour and Travel isn't a cookie-cutter tour--it is designed to cater to the individual.
I expressed that I wanted to visit my adoption agency; my birth city and I also expressed interest in visiting other cities besides Seoul, such as Busan and Jeju Island. I was convinced that the Seoul Sisters Tour and Travel was the best fit for me based on the individualized service and Kourtni's passion and excitement that radiates and is highly contagious.
Prior to going to Korea, Kourtni was always in contact sending helpful hints, friendly reminders, checking in on how I was feeling, was there anything specific I was looking to buy when I was in Korea, etc.
The group I went with was small, just two other adoptees and myself compared to the last group of twenty plus. Because the group was small, Kourtni was able to support each of us in any capacity that was needed: transportation to our visit our birth cities, interpreters and emotional support.
I received the full experience that I was looking for and more. I learned about my Korean culture and heritage, connected with other Korean adoptees living in Korea, as did the other members of my group of adoptees, experienced Seoul, and traveled to Busan and beautiful Jeju Island. This was a special learning experience for me as well as a wonderful way for anyone to visit Korea.
Joy Backstrom
Third Times the Charm
This was my 3rd time to Korea. The year or so leading up to the trip was full of change and adjustments for me. I’d just gotten married the year before and had been diagnosed as bipolar shortly thereafter. I had started to delve into my birth family search around 2009. My inability to locate my birth mother sparked a desire to go back to Korea. I wanted to go back this time for me. I thought I deserved the chance to re-visit with renewed eyes. My thoughts and feelings surrounding my adoption had evolved quite a bit over the years. It was time for me to try & find some peace – with my birth family search and within myself.
I was originally signed up to visit through a different tour but after meeting Kourtni, I knew I needed to go with her and Seoul Sisters Tour & Travel. I knew the minute I signed on with Kourtni that I was making the right decision. Seoul Sisters made my trip SO much more than just “visiting Korea.” They helped me to see that I was visiting my birthplace – my original home and ways to embrace my culture – mostly through amazingly delicious food! I was more than apprehensive about going to Korea with all of my emotions going in every which way at all hours, but Kourtni’s confidence in her plans and in me calmed my worries right away. She put together a very well thought out agenda. The emotional, the educational and the fun were all strategically organized in just the right order. Most importantly, they allowed us all just the right amount of time throughout the trip to be alone if we wanted or needed extra space – to process, to journal, to feel, to think, or to just relax & enjoy being “on vacation.” They taught me how to have pride in where I came from – while I was in Korea and then when I came back to the US. And while I did not find my birth family, I did find my way... Kourtni helped me peel back the layers of who I am... my identity as a Korean and as an adoptee. Kourtni, all of her staff and the other people attending the tour with me will forever have a special spot in my heart. I consider each and every one of them lifelong friends. I feel very blessed to have experienced something so magical with so many amazing people. |
Not Your Typical Tour
I knew I had always wanted to visit Korea, but never really planned when I would make that happen. Suddenly I found myself looking at adulthood and planning to have children (my husband and I are about to have our first.) This made my motivation speed up. I knew I wanted to search for my birthparents and visit Korea before I had children.
I looked at many different travel options and was skeptical about which one would work for me. I am not a typical traveler. I like to see things that are local to the area and learn about the local people. It was also important to me that my husband be able to join me. Most of the options that are available are tour companies, and they do not allow spouses to join. I knew that wouldn’t really work for me. Then another Korean Adoptee told me about Seoul Sister Tours. Kourtni was really great to work with. She was flexible with planning and tailored our trip to our needs. She was very helpful w/ my birth search before and during the trip. Prior to leaving for our trip, my husband and I discovered that I was pregnant. Kourtni was mindful of my needs and during the trip, I felt very well taken care of. Our trip was everything I needed it to be. We got to see and participate in touristy activities, as well as get to know the local culture; which for me was far more important than my birth search. If you are a traveler who likes to have a unique experience, the Seoul Sister Tours is the program for you. I don’t think I could have had a better experience with another tour trip. I would defiantly go again.... But hopefully I won’t be pregnant. |
A Balanced Trip to Korea
Being an adoptee, you always have the question in your head if you should do a birth search. Its never been a burning desire for me but as I got older, I felt the pressure to make a decision. My thought was that as I get older, so do my birth parents and it might soon be too late.
I'd been to Korea twice already but doing my own search seemed overwhelming. Then I heard about Seoul Sisters. I talked with Kourtni about her tours and the process of doing a birth search. After our conversation I was ready to sign up and I'm so glad I did! I was able to do the birth search and do plenty of sightseeing and shopping with a special trip to the jewelry wholesale market (which I still have dreams about!) The trip was well planned and she was flexible if we wanted something to change. I'm so glad I did the birth search.
Although I didn't find my birth parents, it's fulfilling to go through the process and I'm at peace knowing that I tried. Kourtni was there to support me during the ups and downs of the process. The trip was fabulous and I couldn't have asked for anything more. I highly recommend Seoul Sister Tours.
I'd been to Korea twice already but doing my own search seemed overwhelming. Then I heard about Seoul Sisters. I talked with Kourtni about her tours and the process of doing a birth search. After our conversation I was ready to sign up and I'm so glad I did! I was able to do the birth search and do plenty of sightseeing and shopping with a special trip to the jewelry wholesale market (which I still have dreams about!) The trip was well planned and she was flexible if we wanted something to change. I'm so glad I did the birth search.
Although I didn't find my birth parents, it's fulfilling to go through the process and I'm at peace knowing that I tried. Kourtni was there to support me during the ups and downs of the process. The trip was fabulous and I couldn't have asked for anything more. I highly recommend Seoul Sister Tours.
Gift of Love
My husband and I had the best experience with Kourtni in Korea! She was organized in planning our trip, but was always flexible in what needed to be done, or what we wanted to see. This was my first time to Korea since my adoption in 1975. So having a 'Korean' experience was very important to us!
She was simply amazing in mixing tourist sights and my birth family search. Before the trip, Kourtni asked questions on what was important for us to see and do; especially in my birth family search - she wanted to go where I needed to plus suggesting other important places for my search. I couldn't have done this without her guiding me through this emotional experience. Kourtni's vast knowledge of Seoul, and Korea was very helpful to us, as we did not know the culture and history as well as we should've (lack of doing our 'homework' before the trip)! Kourtni was absolutely everything we hoped for, and more! Much more! When we go back to Korea, we will definitely utilize her services again! -- Robbi Welch Never Ending Support of a Spouse |
For Christmas, I bought a trip to Korea for my wife, Robbi. This is a trip she has dreamed about going to...a trip back to her homeland. Robbi is a Korean adoptee, and has done family birth searches online and through her adoption agency. I knew a trip to Korea would make her search more of what she wanted and needed. I, too, wanted to see Korea...it is a country I did not know too much about. We connected with Kourtni, and she arranged our trip...from beginning to end. When I saw her itinerary for us, I knew she was organized, and had great experience. We couldn't have gone to Korea without Kourtni; her knowledge and connections in Korea was more than we could've asked for! What was great, is she took time with us, and made sure my wife could connect with all options for her search. It made the trip even a greater experience for us. And yes, I came back knowing more about Korea...the history and culture, thanks to Kourtni. Kourtni is top notch! I highly recommend her services! -- Yancy Welch
Leap of Faith
am a 42 years old Korean adult adoptee. I have played with the idea of returning to Korea to search for my birth family countless times over the years. There were many reasons why I didn’t go, fear being the number one factor. Fear of traveling to a country I didn’t speak the language, fear of joining a group where I didn’t know anyone, and fear of not finding what I was looking for. As I grew older and met more and more adult adoptees I felt more comfortable joining a tour group but was discouraged by the fact I had no leads to go on. There was nothing in my adoption file.
It wasn’t until I saw my parents and in-laws aging that a new fear set in; I was running out of time. I no longer had the luxury of playing with the idea anymore. I realized I would never be truly at peace until I tried searching. I knew my odds of reunion were low having already opened my adoption file. There wasn’t much point in going on a larger agency tour. I needed a tour that would go beyond visiting my agency and opening my file.
It was fortunate that I had met Kourtni Radar at an adult adoptee function several years back. She had been the catalyst for me becoming more active in the adult adoptee community. Although Kourtni and I met only once, we stayed in touch and I had the opportunity to watch Seoul Sisters Tour take off. I read about her tours and adventures in Korea vicariously through social media. I loved how personalized her tours seemed to be.
So last fall, I took a leap of faith, and I contacted Kourtni. Kourtni, immediately put me at ease and allayed my fears. From that point on, I felt like I was in very capable hands. She took into consideration my specific needs and interests when planning the trip. All the concerns I had about logistics and language barriers were handled. I could focus on truly enjoying the experience. Which I did! I fell in love with Korea, the people, the history and the food. Everything I thought I knew about Korea was merely the tip of the iceberg. I felt less of an observer, shuttled around as I might have on a large group tour; instead I felt like an active participant on my journey home.
Kourtni continued to work toward the goal of reunion well beyond my trip. It was through their efforts that I have moved one step closer to finding birth family. I see this trip as the beginning of a journey and I cannot think of any better guide than Kourtni Radar. Seoul Sisters Tours provides a unique and individualized travel experience with a tremendous amount of soul.
It wasn’t until I saw my parents and in-laws aging that a new fear set in; I was running out of time. I no longer had the luxury of playing with the idea anymore. I realized I would never be truly at peace until I tried searching. I knew my odds of reunion were low having already opened my adoption file. There wasn’t much point in going on a larger agency tour. I needed a tour that would go beyond visiting my agency and opening my file.
It was fortunate that I had met Kourtni Radar at an adult adoptee function several years back. She had been the catalyst for me becoming more active in the adult adoptee community. Although Kourtni and I met only once, we stayed in touch and I had the opportunity to watch Seoul Sisters Tour take off. I read about her tours and adventures in Korea vicariously through social media. I loved how personalized her tours seemed to be.
So last fall, I took a leap of faith, and I contacted Kourtni. Kourtni, immediately put me at ease and allayed my fears. From that point on, I felt like I was in very capable hands. She took into consideration my specific needs and interests when planning the trip. All the concerns I had about logistics and language barriers were handled. I could focus on truly enjoying the experience. Which I did! I fell in love with Korea, the people, the history and the food. Everything I thought I knew about Korea was merely the tip of the iceberg. I felt less of an observer, shuttled around as I might have on a large group tour; instead I felt like an active participant on my journey home.
Kourtni continued to work toward the goal of reunion well beyond my trip. It was through their efforts that I have moved one step closer to finding birth family. I see this trip as the beginning of a journey and I cannot think of any better guide than Kourtni Radar. Seoul Sisters Tours provides a unique and individualized travel experience with a tremendous amount of soul.