The Transition & Continuation of Thích Nhất Hạnh

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Look into a plum tree. In each plum on the tree there is a pit. That pit contains the plum tree and all previous generations of plum tree. The plum pit contains an eternity of plum trees. Inside the pit is an intelligence and wisdom that knows how to become a plum tree, how to … Continue reading The Transition & Continuation of Thích Nhất Hạnh

From New England to Vietnam: Settler Colonialism in Cross-Cultural Perspective

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I've been working on a long-form essay that combines my interest in history and genealogy. Since so many of my ancestors arrived in what became British Colonial America and later the USA, starting in 1610 and 1620, the historical is intensely personal for me. I write as a direct and collateral descendant of Jamestown settlers … Continue reading From New England to Vietnam: Settler Colonialism in Cross-Cultural Perspective

Words To Live & Die By: The Prologue to Bertrand Russell’s Autobiography

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Worth reposting here and reflecting on - again and again. What have you lived for? The key question to keep asking is, 'Are you spending your time on the right things?' Because time is all you have. (Randy Pausch, 1960-2008) Shalom (שלום), MAA What I Have Lived For Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed … Continue reading Words To Live & Die By: The Prologue to Bertrand Russell’s Autobiography

Some Reminders for US Higher Education Colleagues: It’s Still a Jungle Out There

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Courtesy of IT Governance Services My first post of Solar 2022! When it comes to working with partners in the educational consulting industry, choose carefully, as with all relationships, personal and professional. Here are some of the unethical practices I've written about that continue unabated because of a lack of oversight and accountability in this … Continue reading Some Reminders for US Higher Education Colleagues: It’s Still a Jungle Out There

Another Year of Living (and Dying) with COVID-19

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As 2021 draws to a merciful close, I thought this would be a good time to glance at the latest COVID-19 stats in Viet Nam, including the ones that give me and others hope. While most people tend to obsess over the daily number of infections, I periodically check the number of vaccinations because a vaccinated … Continue reading Another Year of Living (and Dying) with COVID-19

Study and Stay™ in Nova Scotia

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I like this trademarked slogan. This is a province that knows what it wants and needs, and is willing to go the extra mile to achieve the goal of attracting more young immigrants who study at a local educational institution and then make the life-changing decision to remain and work. Nova Scotia's proactive, pro-immigration strategy … Continue reading Study and Stay™ in Nova Scotia

Christmas in Vietnam: bookending a long festival season

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Here's my latest essay for VNExpress International. Even though the percentage of Vietnamese who celebrate December 25 as the birth of Jesus Christ is in the single digits, Christmas has evolved into a full-fledged secular holiday in recent years. A sure sign Christmas is approaching is when elaborate and colorful holiday displays at banks and … Continue reading Christmas in Vietnam: bookending a long festival season

Imagine a World Without Education Agents (I Wonder If You Can)

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Here's my latest essay for University World News. The title is intended to be provocative but tells only part of the story. The spotlight is on what many of us refer to as the fatal flaw in commissions-based international student recruitment. Read the entire essay to find out the rest. Start with the above summary … Continue reading Imagine a World Without Education Agents (I Wonder If You Can)

Dogs as Best Friends & Restaurant Dishes

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This poor dog probably either ended up at a dog meat (thịt chó) restaurant or was resold. Purebred dogs fetch a higher price. Other dogs invariably end up at the former. I've driven by many of these restaurants men chowing down on dog meat and consuming large quantities of alcohol in what one website described … Continue reading Dogs as Best Friends & Restaurant Dishes

More Data on Vietnamese Students in the USA

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Here are the latest Viet Nam-related stats from the SEVIS October 2021 update. (You can also access these data using this interactive map.) The picture is decidedly mixed with equal portions good, bad, and ugly. There are currently 24,011 students from Viet Nam at all levels, mostly in higher education. Viet Nam ranks 6th among … Continue reading More Data on Vietnamese Students in the USA