Purpose
Nacel Open Door, Inc. (NOD) is dedicated to promoting international understanding and language education. NOD believes it is essential for young people to develop a deeper awareness of their role as citizens of the world, through direct experience in other cultures and languages, usually through homestays.History
NOD was formed in April 1997 by the merger of Nacel Cultural Exchanges and Open Door Student Exchange. Nacel Cultural Exchanges was founded in France by language teachers in 1957, and homestay exchanges with the U.S. began in 1969. Open Door Student Exchange was founded in 1964 to provide intercultural learning opportunities to high school students and their families.Structure
The Nacel Open Door National Office is located in St. Paul, Minnesota. There are roughly 25 Regional Coordinators assisted by more than 200 Local Representatives who organize the programs on the state and local levels. NOD also employs both full-time and part-time employees to administer programs worldwide. NOD is a member of Nacel International, a group of partner organizations that promote Nacel programs worldwide.Affiliations
Nacel Open Door is listed by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) and is designated by the U.S. Department of State (formerly the USIA) as a J-1 visa Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor for the Academic Year Program.Programs
Academic Year Program (AYP)
Nacel Open Door offers opportunities for families across the United States to host an internationalPrivate School Program (PSP)
The Private School Program (PSP) gives private high schools in the United States the opportunity to welcome qualifiedShort Term Programs (STP)
Nacel Open Door offers the opportunity for families in the United States to host a student for 2–8 weeks. These students typically come fromCongress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX)
Through joint funding from theSt. Paul Preparatory School (SPP)
St. Paul Preparatory School (SPP) is the original high school within the Nacel International School System. Established in 2003, SPP is an international high school located in downtown St. Paul, Minn. Students from more than 25 countries, including the United States, attend SPP. SPP is accredited by the North Central Association. The Nacel International School System also has branch schools inHosting a student
Most Nacel Open Door programs are based in homestay experiences, in which international students stay with a host family in the United States.How to Host
The Nacel Open Door host family screening process is based on Department of State regulations, CSIET standards, and Nacel Open Door best practices to ensure student safety. In order to host with NOD, a family must be willing to participate in all screening processes. All host family members ages 18 and older must complete a criminal background check, and a home visit is required to ensure student safety.Host families choose a program type and duration
* Academic Programs: Public and private schools; one-semester or year-long * Short Term Programs: Summer and winter; 2–8 weeksHost families provide
* Room, board, and a safe environment * Loving parental guidanceNOD students come to the U.S. with their own
* Spending money * Medical insuranceApplication Process
# An interested family completes the online Host Family Application. # A Local Representative contacts the family to complete the screening process, which includes a home visit. # Once the family is fully vetted, the Local Representative assists the family with selecting the student who best matches the family's interests. # Nacel Open Door facilitates school acceptance for students on academic programs. Once school acceptance is secured, NOD sends the host family's information to the Foreign Partner in the student's home country. At that time, the family may begin communicating directly with the student.External links