Nora
This interview of Nora was originally published in the Fall 2021 issue of the "Open Connections Magazine".
What led you/your family to OC?
I was going to a private school at the time and had been diagnosed with dyslexia, I was really struggling to keep up with the other kids and asked my parents if I could homeschool. They had trepidations at first but once we did some googling and found OC, it all fell into place!
At what age did you start at OC? What programs were you involved in?
I started OC when I was 11 in Monday Ventures. After the first year I started going twice a week within various Tutorial programs until Shaping Your Life was created.
What have you been up to since leaving/graduating from OC?
I went straight to college at The New School, studying Art History and am now a recruiter within the creative field. This month will be my 9 year anniversary of living in New York!
How did OC impact you? What did you find useful?
In so many ways I don’t even know where to start! While I was homeschooling, OC was truly the center of my social world, it created a very important sense of community that is hard to find when you are a homeschooler.
How did OC hone your Self-Understanding?
OC allowed me to follow my passions and be myself without fear of being judged by my peers or community, and in turn taught me to treat others with the same respect. I carry that with me to this day.
How did OC help you grow your Effective Communication skills?
This is one of the things that I credit OC for the most. By fostering a community in which we do not put each other down and we communicate with Balanced Responses*, it ingrains in you a deep respect for others’ opinions and ways of thinking/communicating. Speaking within the balanced response format is something that I use in my everyday life as well as throughout my career.
How did OC help you develop your Creative/ Implementation Skills?
I work a lot within the creative spaces, advising people on their careers and working closely with sometimes quite difficult clients. Being able to think strategically and outside the box has allowed me to not only constructively advise others but also navigate often contentious situations.
If you had not gone to OC, imagine how you might be different?
I would likely still be struggling with my dyslexia. By homeschooling and being able to take my time to work closely one-on-one and at my own pace, I have been able to overcome my dyslexia and now truly enjoy reading and writing. In terms of OC more specifically, I think if I had homeschooled and not gone to OC, I would have pretty quickly ended up back at school. OC provided an essential community for me.
What favorite memory of OC would you like to share?
I have so many favorite memories at OC I couldn’t pick one. I met so many inspiring people who have gone on to do incredible things and have their impact on the world. I feel lucky to have been able to be a part of such an inclusive and dynamic community. In general I would say most of my fondest memories are from our theater performances (I did the costumes, NOT one to be on stage) or our Shaping Your Life program trips.
*Balanced Response is a format for feedback. You offer at least 3 positives and then phrase your possible changes in the form of “How to....”. We use this format extensively at Open Connections.
I was going to a private school at the time and had been diagnosed with dyslexia, I was really struggling to keep up with the other kids and asked my parents if I could homeschool. They had trepidations at first but once we did some googling and found OC, it all fell into place!
At what age did you start at OC? What programs were you involved in?
I started OC when I was 11 in Monday Ventures. After the first year I started going twice a week within various Tutorial programs until Shaping Your Life was created.
What have you been up to since leaving/graduating from OC?
I went straight to college at The New School, studying Art History and am now a recruiter within the creative field. This month will be my 9 year anniversary of living in New York!
How did OC impact you? What did you find useful?
In so many ways I don’t even know where to start! While I was homeschooling, OC was truly the center of my social world, it created a very important sense of community that is hard to find when you are a homeschooler.
How did OC hone your Self-Understanding?
OC allowed me to follow my passions and be myself without fear of being judged by my peers or community, and in turn taught me to treat others with the same respect. I carry that with me to this day.
How did OC help you grow your Effective Communication skills?
This is one of the things that I credit OC for the most. By fostering a community in which we do not put each other down and we communicate with Balanced Responses*, it ingrains in you a deep respect for others’ opinions and ways of thinking/communicating. Speaking within the balanced response format is something that I use in my everyday life as well as throughout my career.
How did OC help you develop your Creative/ Implementation Skills?
I work a lot within the creative spaces, advising people on their careers and working closely with sometimes quite difficult clients. Being able to think strategically and outside the box has allowed me to not only constructively advise others but also navigate often contentious situations.
If you had not gone to OC, imagine how you might be different?
I would likely still be struggling with my dyslexia. By homeschooling and being able to take my time to work closely one-on-one and at my own pace, I have been able to overcome my dyslexia and now truly enjoy reading and writing. In terms of OC more specifically, I think if I had homeschooled and not gone to OC, I would have pretty quickly ended up back at school. OC provided an essential community for me.
What favorite memory of OC would you like to share?
I have so many favorite memories at OC I couldn’t pick one. I met so many inspiring people who have gone on to do incredible things and have their impact on the world. I feel lucky to have been able to be a part of such an inclusive and dynamic community. In general I would say most of my fondest memories are from our theater performances (I did the costumes, NOT one to be on stage) or our Shaping Your Life program trips.
*Balanced Response is a format for feedback. You offer at least 3 positives and then phrase your possible changes in the form of “How to....”. We use this format extensively at Open Connections.
