Looking down on the trees in question. Photo taken on 6 May 2021 by MAA. I have felt a connection to trees and plants, a reverence for all living beings, truth be told, since my first memories. I am also prone to making a note of everything in my surroundings, ranging from the good and … Continue reading Miracles in Our Midst: It’s Giant Crape Myrtle Time!
Capstone Webinar: A Virtual Update from Viet Nam
In this webinar, scheduled during the virtual NAFSA 2021 annual conference, my staff and I will provide a comprehensive update about what’s happening in Viet Nam as it relates to overseas study. Topics include COVID-19 in Viet Nam, lingering concerns about the coronavirus in top overseas study destinations, the impact of anti-Asian racism, etc. At … Continue reading Capstone Webinar: A Virtual Update from Viet Nam
The need for a counter-narrative on anti-Asian racism
Here's my latest essay for University World News. Shalom (שלום), MAA
A Reminder: This Is Your Life…
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 Photo by MAA Life is a one-time deposit and each day a withdrawal. Are you spending your time on the right things? Shalom (שלום), MAA
“Deported by Biden: a Vietnamese refugee separated from his family after decades in US”
Tien Pham, 38, who fled violence in Vietnam as a child, was sent back to an unfamiliar country due to teenage conviction: ‘America is my home’ Image courtesy of The Guardian This 3 May 2021 Guardian article jumped off my screen. This poor guy goes from one frying pan into another. It reminded me the … Continue reading “Deported by Biden: a Vietnamese refugee separated from his family after decades in US”
The Environment as Communal Trash Can
As seen recently in Hanoi traffic. Last cigarette. What to do with the empty pack? Toss it out the window, of course. Aside from being a crime against nature, littering, including cigarette butts, is against the law in Viet Nam, but it's rarely, if ever, enforced. (Check out this March 2021 post about smoking in … Continue reading The Environment as Communal Trash Can
Happy Reunification Day! Chúc Mừng Ngày Thống Nhất!
On the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the end of the US War in Viet Nam, I would like to repost this article from 30 April 2020 A Letter From Viet Nam on the Occasion of the 45th Anniversary of the End of the War that was published by CounterPunch. Follow this link to … Continue reading Happy Reunification Day! Chúc Mừng Ngày Thống Nhất!
Taking the Pulse of F-1 Issuances in Viet Nam: A Year of Recovery & Challenges
As the end of April approaches, I thought I'd check on the number of US student visas issued since the beginning of the 2021 fiscal year and compare it with last year in the (mostly) pre-COVID era. Yes, I know this is the low season for F-1 issuances, the high season lasting from May through … Continue reading Taking the Pulse of F-1 Issuances in Viet Nam: A Year of Recovery & Challenges
Hội An Visit a Bittersweet Experience
Photos by MAA Strolling around Hội An on a recent sunny afternoon, classical music playing softly on the omnipresent speakers, the tropical breeze wafting through the trees and alleys, was both a sad and peaceful experience. For the uninitiated, this charming little town, a short drive south of Danang in central Viet Nam, is a … Continue reading Hội An Visit a Bittersweet Experience
RocketReach Falls Short
I was recently searching for something online and came across this RocketReach (RR) profile of Capstone Vietnam. (Full disclosure/reminder: I'm managing director and co-founder.) RR is a web-based tool that mines data to create profiles of companies that include website addresses, social media channels, and email addresses, among other information. The results illustrate the current … Continue reading RocketReach Falls Short
