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Nacel Open Door Network VoicesMarch 2015

In This Issue:Advisors’ Angle: Winter Blues. . . . . . . . . . 3

Welcome Janel Cook! . . . 2

SPP Update and Service Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Introducing The Admin Team 4

Culture Notes: Spain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

nod vOICES2015 PROGRAM UPDATESNacel Open Door long-term programs have welcomed new students who arrived for the second semester of the academic year. NOD staff hopes that students and Host Families are adjusting well and feeling settled in their new homes.

Private School Program (PSP)PSP is experiencing some exciting new changes in 2015. Longtime PSP Regional Director, Vicki Pelletier has taken on the newly developed role of PSP Program Director. At the same time, the current “Regional Program Director” (RPD) title will change to “Regional Manager” (RM). The role of the RM will be equal to that of an RPD, but was changed to give greater clarity to the responsibilities of the new management structure. All of these changes were made to enhance the program experience and create quality consistency for our families and schools. We do not expect that you will notice any significant changes as you will still be working closely with you Local Representatives!

Academic Year Program (AYP)The August 2015 placement cycle is well under way! We expect to place about 450 students again this fall and are steadily receive student applications applications, and putting these online for families. If you would like to host again in 2015 please contact your Local Representative, so you can begin the approval process and choose your next student.

Short Term Program (STP)Planning for the summer 2015, Short Term Programs is underway with groups coming to more than 25 locations around the U.S., including SPP in St. Paul, Minnesota. We have received almost 200 applications from our French partners and anticipate that we’ll start to receive applications from our partner in Spain Italy, Turkey, and China, along with potential groups from Brazil and Japan.

Nacel Open Door Host Family and Schools Voices

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Board of DirectorsDr. Frank Tarsitano, PhD – ChairmanMr. Steve Murphy – SecretaryMs. Alice Murphy – TreasurerMr. Gerard AvundoMr. Arnold Franco Mr. Francois Jean HucMs. Hilda Jaffe

Senior Management TeamDr. Frank Tarsitano, PhD – CEO & PresidentMr. Richard Banasikowski, MA – Vice President Mr. Jean Burdin – President, Nacel InternationalMr. Roy S. Nilsson – CFO

Advisory BoardMr. Jean Burdin – President, Nacel InternationalMr. Pierre Coudry – Interclass BrazilMs. Toni Cowles – Retired, Lauder Institute at the Wharton School, UPENNMr. Jaeho Eohm – International Language Forum, KoreaDr. Abraham Ho, DA – Nacel AsiaMs. Marie Jose Huc – CLC

NACEL OPEN DOOR EXECUTIVES

This newsletter is a publication of Nacel Open Door, Inc. For more information on NOD programs and opportunities, please call 800-622-3553, or visit our website at www.nacelopendoor.org.

Newsletter Production Staff: Director of Operations: Rae Lenway, Ed.D.Director of Marketing & Communications: Shannon Rausch, MAPA/NMMarketing Communications Assistant: Meg Beerling

Nacel Open Door, Inc. (NOD) offers multiple programs

in the United States and abroad to meet a variety of cultural and academic goals for all students.

These programs range in duration from one week to multiple years. The focus of some programs is a complete cultural immersion and exchange, while others are focused more on college preparation.

WELCOME JANEL COOK!It is our pleasure to introduce the newest member of the NOD team!

Janel Cook is the new Student Advisor and joins us from a specialized back-ground. Janel has her master’s degree in Intercultural Conflict Management from the University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

Janel has spent time traveling internationally and so far has spent time in Germany, South Korea, and Spain. During her travels to Germany and South Korea, Janel taught ESL classes. She also worked for three years at an adolescent emergency center in St. Paul. We are thrilled to have Janel with us now!

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ST. PAUL PREPARATORY SChOOL (SPP)

Where has the time gone? The Christmas and winter holidays have passed, and we have welcomed in a new year. Our students have recently finish their first semester of classes at their American high schools, and our January students have settled in.

It is not uncommon at this time of year for students to experience a bit of homesickness after the holidays. For many of our students, this may have been their first time away from their parents. Some may be starting to feel a bit cooped up due to the long, cold

winter season. But, be of good cheer; when things seem darkest, remember the days are now getting longer and brighter with spring just around the corner.

With the closing of February, we long for and look forward to warmer spring weather with new life springing forth. We have a saying here at NOD that students are “to bloom where they have been planted.” While the student is ultimately responsible for the success or failure of their program, we are here to water and nourish them

with our support and encouragement.Student exchange is a team effort, and with everyone’s contributions, it is an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. Please know how much we appreciate everyone’s time, effort, and energy that are expended into student exchange. Without each and every one of you, the task would be daunting. Thanks for making student exchange such a success.

ADvISORS’ ANGLE: WINTER BLUES

SPP recently finished the first semester. Students have been shown the true meaning of a “Minnesota Winter” and have taken part in some traditional outdoor winter activities, some for the first time!

Students completed final exams in January and orientation began for students who arrived for second semester on January 20 and 21.

SPP has started their Hunger Initiative with the students. Every Monday until the end of March, students will meet

with their assigned group and staff group leader to come up with their own solution to hunger, whether it be on a global, national, or local level; the choice is up to the students. On Wednesday mornings, students will meet with only their group members to work on their project.

On Friday, March 27, students will present their solution to the rest of the school. Students will vote on which team had the best solution, and the winning solution will be impimented by students at SPP

69 students from St. Paul Preparatory High School in St. Paul, Minnesota volunteered on January 21st, 2015, at Second Harvest Heartland food bank.

Our Admin Team has recently been reshapped!

Karina Rajtar has taken on the responsibility of the Team Lead as Operations Assistant. Victoria Mercer and Amanda Malzacher are both Administrative Specialists handling the day-to-day procedures.

Victoria joined NOD in October. She loves to travel and has studied in Thailand. She also did a college fellowship abroad in South India. She will be focusing on the PSP program needs.

Karina is no stranger to NOD. She started with NOD back in 2008 as an intern, eventually joining the organization full-time in 2010. She has shifted jobs several times while at NOD and after leaving NOD early in 2014, returned in October to her new role in operations.

Karina is 100 percent Polish and has been to Poland several times. She has also spent time in Australia, Hungary, Canada, and

Germany. She will be assisting both Victoria and Amanda when needed while working on various special projects.

Amanda started with NOD in August and is primarily working with AYP. Before starting with NOD, Amanda taught primary school in Ghana, studied abroad in Senegal, and spent two years in Guinea while serving in the Peace Corps.

The admin team can collectivly be reached by email at

paperwork@nacelopendoor.org or individually at

krajtar@nacelopendoor.org (ext. 624), vmercer@nacelopendoor.org (ext. 627), and amalzacher@nacelopendoor.org, (ext. 623).

Nacel Open Door National Office 380 Jackson Street, Suite 200

St. Paul, MN 55101 USA

T: 651-686-0080800-622-3553

F: 651-686-9601www.nacelopendoor.orginfo@nacelopendoor.org

www.facebook.com/NacelOpenDoorInc

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CULTURE NOTES

INTRODUCING...

SPAIN The Spanish culture is significantly more laid-back than the American way of life. Many Spaniards observe “siesta” during the day, during which stores and businesses close down for a couple hours in the afternoon. During this time, Spaniards will often eat a long, relaxing lunch, and some take the time to nap or rest.

The meal schedule in Spain is quite different from that in the U.S., and this might take some adjustment for your student. In Spain, breakfasts are often smaller than in the U.S. Lunch is generally later in the afternoon (about 2 pm), and dinner is often served around 8 p.m.

People in Spain walk a lot or take public transportation. It might take some time for your student to adjust to needing a ride whenever he/she wants to go somewhere. Be sure to discuss the need to give ample notice before a ride is needed.

victoria MercerKarina Rajtar

Amanda Malzacher

ThE ADMIN TEAM: