Frequently Asked Questions:
We've compiled a listing of Frequently Asked Questions about the IKAA Gathering 2010. If you have further questions, please feel free to email us and we'll get back to you with an answer! We will also be continually adding to this list, so check back often!
- How is the IKAA Gathering 2010 different from past Gatherings?
- Can someone from IKAA meet me at the airport?
- How do I get from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to the Lotte Hotel?
- Can IKAA help me find a roommate for the Gathering 2010?
- Do I have to go to every event and workshop at the Gathering?
- I would like to review my adoption file / I would like to initiate a search for my biological family. How do I do this?
- Can I do research at the Gathering?
How is the IKAA Gathering 2010 different from past Gatherings?
In addition to continuing successful programming of past Gatherings, the IKAA Gathering 2010 will focus efforts on promoting dialogue and a greater understanding between Korean adoptees and Korean society by providing opportunities for cultural, educational and professional exchanges. New and innovative programming that reflects these efforts include the Film Festival (in which films about Korean adoption or the Korean adoptee experience will be screened for an audience including Korean society), Membership Training (Team Building Activities with Korean nationals), and the Business Seminar (which will include cross-national networking with fellow Korean adoptee professionals and Korean nationals).
Can someone from IKAA meet me at the airport?
It is unfortunately not possible for someone from IKAA to meet individual participants at the airport, however if you would like to try to coordinate meeting at the airport with other Gathering participants to travel from the airport to the hotel, we would like to suggest that you make use of the Discussions Board on the IKAA Facebook Group Page. You could include your arrival date and time and see if anyone else will also be arriving around the same time as you -- maybe you'll even find someone on your flight!
How do I get from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to the Lotte Hotel?
Traveling from Incheon International Airport (ICN) to the Lotte Hotel is easy on the KAL Limousine Bus. For detailed information, we have created a page called "Getting There" with information about getting to the Lotte Hotel by both the KAL Limousine Bus and taxi.
Can IKAA help me find a roommate for the Gathering 2010?
IKAA is unable to help individual participants find roommates, however threads have already been posted on the Discussions Board on the IKAA Facebook Group Page by Gathering participants looking for roommates. You can search through existing posts or create your own!
Do I have to go to every event and workshop at the Gathering?
Absolutely not! Your completed registration grants you access to the entirety of Gathering programming, but it's up to you to customize your schedule depending on what your interests are. As the Gathering nears and details of the programming solidifies, information will be updated on the IKAA Gathering 2010 Website.
I would like to review my adoption file / I would like to initiate a search for my biological family. How do I do this?
To review your adoption file or initiate a search for your biological family, you should first contact your Korean adoption agency directly (there are 4). If you are unsure which Korean agency you went through, you can find the information on your adoption documents.
Eastern Social Welfare Society - postadoption@eastern.or.kr
Holt Children's Services - holtkorea@holt.or.kr OR holtkorea@hotmail.com
Korea Social Service - kssinc@kssinc.org
Social Welfare Society - swspas@sws.or.kr
IKAA met with post-adoption social workers from each of the agencies in December and they all strongly suggested scheduling appointments as early as possible. The summer is typically one of their busiest seasons and with the large number of adoptees expected at the Gathering 2010, the earlier you schedule your appointment, the more likely you are to get your desired a time/date.
If you are unsure about whether or not you would like to review your file or begin searching for your birth family, you can read "Search: 10 Questions to Ask" written by Hollee McGinnis (adult adoptee, founder of Also-Known-As, Inc., New York) and originally presented at the 1st International Gathering of Korean Adoptees (1999).
If you need additional help with your search, you can also contact:
Global Overseas Adoptees' Link (GOA'L)
Website: www.goal.or.kr
Birth Family Search Email: bfs@goal.or.kr
International Korean Adoptee Service (InKAS)
Website: www.inkas.org
Email: inkas@yahoo.co.kr
Can I do research at the Gathering?
While IKAA supports research on the Korean adoptee community for the purposes of advancing knowledge to and/or about our community, we have an even greater stake in protecting individual members of our community who are brought together by IKAA. Therefore, IKAA has developed policies for researchers who wish to conduct human subjects research on adoptees who attend any IKAA Gathering, Mini-Gathering, event, or activity.
The deadline to submit an application is July 10th.
Download the Policies and Guidelines for Conducting Scholarly Research at the IKAA Gathering here
