nod voices - october 2015

Nacel Open Door Partner Voices

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In This Issue:Advisors’ Angle: Cultural Adjustment. . . . . 5

International Education Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Introducing: Academic Year Program Senior Assistant Emily Lemon . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Keeping Up with NODPrograms . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 3 Tidbits: U.S. Homecoming Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

nod vOICESINTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEKInternational Education Week (IEW) is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This year, the 16th annual International Education Week is from November 16-20, 2015.

This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of the effort to promote programs that prepare Americans for the global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and participate in exchange experiences in the United States.

IEW was first held in 2000. Today it is celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide. It is celebrated in November each year during the week before the American holiday of Thanksgiving. IEW is an opportunity for exchange students worldwide to share with their host communities their cultures and highlight the benefits of international educational exchange programs.

The worldwide celebration of IEW offers a unique opportunity to reach out to people in every nation to develop a broader understanding of world cultures and languages, and to reiterate the conviction that enduring friendships and partnerships created through international education and exchange are important for a secure future for all countries.

Physical and virtual events are held the entire week. Participation of all individuals and institutions interested in international education and exchange activities is encouraged.

A statement by U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan urges citizens to “make gloabl competence the norm, and not the exception.” To view his full statement please visit http://sites.ed.gov/international/international-education-week-2015/

For more information on International Education week visit http://eca.state.gov/programs-initiatives/international-education-week


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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 LenwayDirector of Marketing & Communications: Shannon RauschMarketing 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.

KEEPINg UP WITH NOD PROgRAmSThe start to the St. Paul Prep school year is always a busy one. Our students have already stayed overnight at camp, participated in a Youth Frontiers Retreat, had their first soccer games, and experienced their first school dance.

At Camp St. Croix in Hudson, Wisconsin, students participated in teambuilding activities, played an all school game of capture the flag, and made s‘mores around a campfire.

The following week students participated in an in-school retreat with Youth Frontiers. The main theme of the retreat was respect. Students and teachers learned about how to demonstrate respect for others and themselves. Students participated in interactive games, small group discussions, and sing a longs.

As the first month of school winds to a close, the following months still have a lot to offer. Students will be going to a SPP Night Out at a pumpkin patch where they will pick pumpkins to carve into jack-o-lanterns, and go on a hayride.

The first Parent/Teacher Conference will be taking place in November. This is a great time for host parents and teachers to discuss how their student(s) are doing and assist them if they need help in a certain subject.

At the end of October, SPP will have a Halloween Dance. Students are encouraged to wear a costume and enter into the costume contest. Students will vote based on each category, such as scariest, funniest, and best couple costume. It is one of SPP’s highest attended dances and students always have a good time.

St. Paul Preparatory School (SPP)


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Private School Program (PSP)

Academic Year Program (AYP)Short Term Program (STP)

KEEPINg UP WITH NOD PROgRAmSExciting changes are coming to NOD’s Short Term Program in 2016. First, we are adding a new location to the program. The New Jersey/New York area will be a great place for students to experience life in America.

Second, we look forward to welcoming students from Reunion Island, a small island off the coast of Madagascar, to St. Paul Preparatory School (SPP) for the third year. These students will attend SPP while living with local host families for a couple weeks in late February.

We are also adding a new Short Term STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program at SPP to offer students the opportunity to sample these courses.

In keeping with our goal of increasing Short Term student participation by 10%, we have begun conversations with several new partners who have expressed interest in sending students on short term Programs in the coming year. If you would like be a part of the effort to grow the program or learn more about sending either groups or individual students, please contact Carol North, Director of Short Term Programs, at [email protected].

The PSP Regional Managers are conducting yearly school visits. This is a time for us to talk with schools about the number of applicants they will accept for 2016-2017. It is important to send student applications to us in January as we expect school spaces to fill quickly. We are mid-way through the first quarter. Once we reach the end of the quarter, we will send report cards to you. We hope the students will work hard to achieve good grades.

The Academic Year Program is happy to report that our group of August students are settling in nicely with their host families and communities.

We are also preparing for the upcoming January 2016 placement season and currently accepting student applications. Our deadline for submitting January applications is November 6, 2015.


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NEW PROgRAm OFFERED AT SPPgLOBAL LEADERSHIP DIPLOmAThe world is an ever changing global marketplace that is constantly expanding and growing. SPP recognizes the need to prepare youth to become successful members of this global workforce. Students who graduate with the Global Leadership Diploma will possess the skills needed to be at the forefront of global change and growth. This diploma program helps mold and shape the leaders of tomorrow.

The Global Leadership Diploma is designed as a two-year diploma to prepare students for further studies at the university level in International Relations, Law and Legal Studies, Education, Diplomacy, Labor Relations, and Human Resources.

The SPP Global Leadership Diploma provides students with an advanced education in oral and written language, skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and cultural understanding. By developing these abilities, students who graduate with the Global Leadership Diploma will understand the commonalities and differences throughout various cultures, speak multiple languages, and understand the complexities of global issues.

Students who enter the program will work on character building and interpersonal skills to develop a strong future in their chosen career-path after graduation. Students will engage in reflective and team building activities to learn about themselves and others to grow into capable leaders ready to take on the challenges of the future.

Students who possess the skills of global leadership are able to:

• Recognize and articulate cross-cultural differences • Make personal connections• Adjust and adapt to different cultures• Effectively lead individuals from different

backgrounds and cultures• Become informed citizens in today’s

interconnected world

With a global student body, the students who pursue a Global Leadership Diploma will not only be learning about global diversity in the classroom, but will be fully immersed in a global environment.

AUTO ACCIDENTS: INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE AND WHAT’S COvEREDRecently there has been confusion regarding auto accidents so we wanted to clarify for you that most international travel insurance does not cover auto accident claims. Please be sure that your students and Natural Parents, are aware of what is and isn’t covered on their international insurance policy.

Typically, auto accident claims are covered under auto insurance, instead of health insurance. In the

United States, auto insurance is regulated by each state. Therefore, the liabilities and regulations are different, depending on which state your student is living. In the U.S., we have what are known as “No-Fault States.” In these states, no-fault auto insurance is required by legal statue. This is a type of insurance under which those who are insured are covered by their own insurance company for injury or loss, regardless of fault in the incident generating losses.

This means, should your student be involved in an auto accident, depending on the state, the family’s personal auto insurance will be responsible for the payment of medical claims, regardless of whose fault the accident was.

For more information and questions on insurance. please email our insurance department at [email protected]


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BATHROOmSNot all bathrooms are built or used in the same ways. In some countries the bathroom is a wet room. This means that when one showers the entire room gets wet, which isn’t a problem since there is a drain in the floor. No shower curtains needed! In other instances, the shower stall is in a separate room from the toilet and sink, or there is only a bathtub with no option for showering.

In light of these differences, students might need to be shown how to use the shower in a USA-style bathroom, including where the shower curtain should be placed-- otherwise the family’s bathroom floors will be continually wet.

Sometimes, due to the plumbing in other countries, toilet paper is not flushed down the toilet. Instead, it is thrown in a trash bin. If this happens, the family may need to reassure the student that flushing toilet paper down the toilet is acceptable and preferred in their home. This also might be a good segway into a conversation about what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet. This will be highly beneficial so that non-flushable items are disposed of properly.

Students may need to know things like where to hang wet towels, and wash cloths after use, and how often they are used before being laundered. Families should be clear about where the toilet

seat should be placed (up or down?) after use and whether or not the bathroom door should be completely closed when someone is inside. Keep in mind that all families have different bathroom etiquette and clear communication about it will help everyone have a smooth transition.

HYgIENEBody odor is something that we all try to mask in the United States by showering daily and using deodorant and colognes. This is not the case in other cultures. Some may consider body odor a “natural” smell or literally have fewer sweat glands than Americans and therefore do not produce as much sweat. This may mean that some students bathe a few times per week and do not use deodorant.

It is acceptable for families to speak to students about typical bathing practices in the USA, thereby encouraging the student to do the same. Students might have to be reassured that it is okay (or encouraged) to bathe more than once per day if s/he is particularly active in sports or activities. It may be beneficial for families to accompany students to the store to help pick out deodorant, cologne, or perfume as the choices may be overwhelming and confusing for the student.

Dental hygiene is an involved process in the USA, including: regular flossing,

brushing, and mouth-wash. Dental corrections are also quite common, as well as regular dental office visits. It may be that some students are not familiar with these practices, and therefore have not followed a regular “dental regimen.” It is appropriate for families to speak with students about dental hygiene if they wish, s/he will likely notice the amount of time spent on it anyway!

How often do you wash your bed sheets? Do you wear your jeans more than once before laundering them? It is likely that students are used to a different system of laundering clothes, bed sheets, towels, etc. It is possible that dirty laundry is perceived as embarrassing for the student, or perhaps the student doesn’t know how to do laundry. Also, the student may not know where to place dirty laundry, so families should be sure to point out where it should be kept.

Clear communication and planning about these things soon after the student’s arrival will save everyone from embarrassment and confusion later on.

Please email [email protected] for further information, questions or concerns.

ADvISORS’ ANgLE: CULTURAL NOTESON BATHROOmS AND HYgIENEWritten By: Janel CookStudent and Host Family Advisor


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Nacel Open Door National Office 380 Jackson Street, Suite 200

St. Paul, mN 55101 USA

T: 651-686-0080 Toll Free:800-622-3553F: 651-686-9601

www.nacelopendoor.org | [email protected]/NacelOpenDoorInc

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U.S. TIDBITS INTRODUCINg...Senior AYP Assistant: Emily LemonTRICK-OR-TREAT

Halloween is a popular holiday in the United States. In fact, it is the second most profitable holiday for retailers. (Christmas is the first.)

The most recognizable Halloween tradition in the U.S. is dressing in costumes and going trick-or-treating.

Trick-or-treating is an activity for younger children (typically ending around middle school) in which they wear their costumes and go door-to-door in their neighborhood, saying “trick or treat!” at each house. In return, these children receive candy, small toys, or similar treats.

TOP 10 FAvORITE HALLOWEEN

CANDY IN THE U.S.1. Reese’s 2. M&M’s

3. Snicker’s4. Hershey’s

5. Kit Kat6. Twix

7. Three Musketeers8. Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Cream

9. Milky Way10. Almond Joy

AY P J a n u a r y

a p p l i c a t i o n

d e a d l i n e i s

Nov. 6th!

Emily has been working with our Academic Year Program for three years. She works directly with, and manages Nacel Open Door’s Academic Year Program field network of Coordinators and Local Representatives who place our students and maintain those placements.

Emily graduated from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Business Administration.

Emily likes working at NOD, because she says each day is different. She really enjoys getting to know the students through their applications and hearing about their experiences while on program.

She also likes working with the AYP Network of Coordinators and helping them select the students for their region.

Emily says that the students who do well on the AYP Program are those who come

with an open mind and are flexible. She says coming on program without expectations is a great way to open up students to their new culture.

The AYP program is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Emily says. It is a great program and she likes to see students taking full advantage of that.

On June 18th, Emily and her husband welcomed their first child to the world! When she’s not working, Emily enjoys being with her family, being outside, camping, and baking.

Emily can be reached by email at [email protected] or at ext. 629

nod voices - october 2015

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