JESSICA
VIC Social Event Co-ordinator

Hi all!  I was born in Anyang in 1982 (Gyeongi Province an hour or so subway ride out of Seoul, South Korea).  I began my nomadic travels at 8 months old when I was adopted to my family in the United States.  My parents then had my brother and sister 3 and 6 years later.

Apparently, I never got over the travel bug and in 2003, I decided to study in Australia and arrived on the sunny coasts of Newcastle.  I found love at the Newcastle University Jujutsu club and eventually made my way back to Australia in 2005.

In 2004, I went to South Korea to teach English as the token ‘native speaker’ in a small town nestled in the country’s centre.  During this very challenging time, I also looked at my adoption records at ESWS and discovered that things aren’t always what they seem.  I did a brief search for my birthmother but did not find her.  After seven months, I went back to the United States.

I am currently enrolled at the University of Newcastle working on my PhD.  Based on my experiences in 2004, I decided to put the whirlwind of emotions and thoughts into a constructive outlet and research transnational adoption and the lived experiences and identities of Korean adoptees. 

I like to cycle, roam around national parks, and indulge in various culinary delights.

I am now living in Melbourne and am keen to meet other adoptees in these new stomping grounds.  I would love to share our experiences and talk with each other as we move along the twisted turns of the adoption process. 

You can contact me at:  jess.walton@gmail.com 

 I’m looking forward to hearing from you and meeting you at future social events!