Author: Mark A. Ashwill

Fall 2012 StudyUSA Community College Fairs

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Vietnam now ranks 8th among all countries sending students to the US, according to the 2011 Open Doors international academic mobility report, with nearly 15,000 students, three-quarters of whom are undergraduates.  Of that 75%, the majority begin their studies at a community college.  Vietnam ranks 3rd in international student enrollment at US community colleges.  Capstone Vietnam's StudyUSA … Continue reading Fall 2012 StudyUSA Community College Fairs

Broward College in Vietnam

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Broward College, based in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, is one of the larger and more internationally active community colleges in the US.  It has an enrollment of 70,000 students and ranks 40th on the Open Doors 2011 list of community colleges that host international students with 491.  Most of its international students - not included in … Continue reading Broward College in Vietnam

Counterpoint: A US American’s Critique of a Harvard Position Paper (and More)

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Countries as Role Models:  A Double-Edged Sword (aka Yes, No, It Depends) In my conversations with young people and colleagues here about overseas study, I frequently emphasize the positive/negative role model dimensions of cross-cultural exchange in general and as they relate to comparative education in particular.  Learn from another country's strengths and weaknesses.  Adapt and localize … Continue reading Counterpoint: A US American’s Critique of a Harvard Position Paper (and More)

RA, NA & EducationUSA: Mixing Apples & Oranges

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It’s always been a mystery to me why EducationUSA (i.e., the US State Department - on behalf of the US Government - on behalf of the American taxpayer) represents all “officially accredited” institutions of higher education in its 400+ advising centers around the world.  After all, there is absolutely no comparison between regionally accredited (RA) … Continue reading RA, NA & EducationUSA: Mixing Apples & Oranges

Should the U.S. State Department Copy the British Council?

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  The British Council, as an education provider, a research analyst, and a conference convener is an interesting model. At the very least, taking a look at the British Council makes me wonder why the United States government does not pull back and take a big-picture look at what it might do to provide better … Continue reading Should the U.S. State Department Copy the British Council?

When Federal Agents Come Calling: Educating Campus Stakeholders

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Sounds scary, huh?  This is the name of a webinar offered by NAFSA:  Association of International Educators on 22 March.  For $149 for members ($189 for nonmembers) you could have “come away with strategies for building positive relationships with federal agents and dealing with difficult situations.”  According to the webinar “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently … Continue reading When Federal Agents Come Calling: Educating Campus Stakeholders

International Student Mobility Research Report

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“…the road ahead for most U.S. institutions of higher education will not be smooth as many institutions grapple with challenges in meeting recruitment goals with limited time and tight budgets.” This report, recently released by World Education Services, provides some useful information about enrollment trends among international students.  One of the key points is that … Continue reading International Student Mobility Research Report

Talking Nationalism, Patriotism and Global Citizenship with US Students in Vietnam

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Last month, I was invited by a colleague from Augustana College (Illinois) to meet with a group of her students who were in Vietnam on a short-term study abroad program.  The students had spent five weeks at Augustana, followed by another five weeks in southern, central and northern Vietnam.  The website describes the program as follows:  Vietnam is … Continue reading Talking Nationalism, Patriotism and Global Citizenship with US Students in Vietnam