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Sharing Heart Mission Trip: Korea October 21 – 30, 2008   Other trips to Korea offered by Dillon International: Tour I:  June 10 – 23, 2008 Tour II:  June 25 – July 8, 2008 Tour II is now closed for new applications, but Tour I has several open spots still available for 2008!

What We Offer

• Opportunities to Serve

  • Sodaemun Community Center

  • Dongsanwon orphanage in Busan

  • Eastern Welfare Town in Pyongtaek

  • Eastern Babies' Home

• A taste of Korean culture

  • Seoul City tour

  • Shopping in Itaewon and Nomdaemun markets

  • Nanta performance

  • High speed train

  • Seoul Tower tour

• Access to significant adoption information

  • Visit Eastern Social Welfare Society

  • Visit Esther's Home or Sharon's Home - maternity homes

  • Review adoption files, if desired

  • Meet foster families, if possible

  • Meet birth families, if desired and possible

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Why Choose Dillon?

• Dillon International has escorted groups to Korea since 1989.

• Each mission trip is directed and escorted by a professional staff person who has traveled extensively in Korea and has an in-depth knowledge of the country and customs.

• Small groups (10 - 25 people) allow for a more individualized experience.

• Service opportunities to needy children and the local community.

• Round trip international airfare . . . with option for domestic airfare at a reasonable additional fee.

• Accommodations included in trip price . . . based on double occupancy.

• Admission to scheduled sightseeing attractions also included.

• Adoption search and intermediary services are available.

• Professional English-speaking guides with sensitivity and experience in adoption issues.

• A list of suggested readings pertaining to Korea and adoption issues will be provided prior to departure.

• This is a mission trip designed to bless the children and adults at Eastern Social Welfare Society in Seoul, Korea and its affiliated facilities as the people of Korea bless us.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1.     Who can participate in the Sharing Heart Mission Trip: Korea?   How old should my children be to join the trip?

Adoptive families, their friends who are interested in doing services in Korea, any adoptees can participate in.  The best time to visit a birth country with your child is before their teen years.  Between ages 8 and 12, children often benefit from a trip like this when they still view the world in a more matter of fact way.  Gaining a positive understanding of their birth heritage will assist their identity formation process that will take place in more significant ways during adolescence.  For the Sharing Heart Mission Trip, participants must be at least eight years old.

2.     What if we didn’t adopt through Dillon?  Can we go on the mission trip and still use your Adoption Search Services?

Regardless of the U.S. Agency you adopted through, we welcome you to join our Sharing Heart Mission Trip to Korea.  For adoption search services, we will need you to provide us with a copy of the adoption documents you received from Korea through your placing agency.  If your U.S. placing agency is still active, we may also request your written permission to contact them for additional information, which may be helpful in providing adoption search services to you.

3.      What additional costs can we expect?

Before the trip, you will want to have money for gifts which are an integral part of Korean culture.  We will send you additional information about gifts to take with you to Korea in your packets.  You will want to take money for shopping and some meals while in Korea.  Approximately $300-$400 per person should cover all of these expenses for the Sharing Heart Mission Trip to Korea.  

4.      Do I need a visa or immunizations for travel to Korea?

A valid passport is required for travel to Korea, but a visa is not required.  You can visit the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationSouthKorea.aspx for information on immunizations for travel to South Korea. 

5.      I would like to visit friends or a city that is not part of the mission trip itinerary.  Is this possible?

Tour participants have a couple of options if they would like to make side trips or meet up with friends and/or family  while traveling with Dillon’s Sharing Heart Mission Trip to Korear.  1)  You may skip a scheduled tour activity or utilize your free-time.  You will, however, be responsible for all costs associated with the side trip or meeting of family or friends.  Also, we are unable to reduce the mission trip fee for the time you are not with the group.  Our tour leader will be happy to assist you in planning your time away from the group.  

Another option is to extend your stay in Korea.  Again, our tour leader is willing to assist you in planning that portion of your trip although you will be responsible for the actual arrangements and payment.

6.     What adoption search services are available for me?

This depends upon the Korean agency you were placed through (Eastern, Holt, etc.) and your current age.  Please see the table below:

For more information about the birth family search, please visit http://www.dillonadopt.com/search.htm

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	Mrs. Duk Kyung Um, Director of Korean Adoptions, will be your tour leader. Mrs. Um previously worked for Eastern Social Welfare Society as a social worker in Korea for over 10 years. She has been with Dillon International as the Director of Korean Adoptions and co-leading Dillon’s “Visit Korea” Tours since 1996.  Families will also benefit from her extensive experience in the area of search and reunion and her work with foster families, birth families, and adopted persons. You may contact her at Um@dillonadopt.com or 918-749-4600.
	Mrs. Alice Laeger Doyle, Associate Director of Korean Adoptions, has been with Dillon International since 2001. She will assist families with searching for foster mothers, birth family members and obtaining additional background information prior to the Sharing Heart Mission Trip. You may contact her at Alice@dillonadopt.com or 918-749-4600.
	Mrs. Angela Kopplin, Tour Coordinator, has been with Dillon International since 1997.  She will assist families with trip registration, information and air travel preparation. You may contact her at Angela@dillonadopt.com or 816-841-2721.

Or you may write:  Dillon International, Inc. / 3227 East 31st Street, Suite 200 / Tulsa, OK  74105

Questions regarding specific tour itinerary should be directed to Duk Kyung Um, Tour Director.  Questions regarding tour dates, times and airline reservations should be directed to Angela Kopplin, Tour Coordinator.

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