Even when I was country director of the Institute of International Education (IIE) in Vietnam (from 2005-09) I couldn't understand the excitement about the annual release of the latest Open Doors Report. My plea to switch from what is essentially "old news" to the use of real-time data, i.e., SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information … Continue reading SEVIS vs. Open Doors: An Update on Vietnamese Enrollment in the USA
Author: Mark A. Ashwill
The Red, White, & Blue Sun Around Which The World Revolves?
In case you're wondering, that imposing orange-yellow object on the left is the United States of America. (Don't forget it! 🇺🇸) Recently, I had an unpleasant exchange in a Facebook group of "Independent Educational Consultants." Below are screenshots of the "conversation," which consisted of a bunch of angry colleagues questioning my integrity. It started with … Continue reading The Red, White, & Blue Sun Around Which The World Revolves?
The Language Police Strike Again! (aka WTF?)
Sorry, I couldn't find a meme with a language policewoman. I belong to a Facebook group for independent educational consultants. Most of the posts are requests for advice, information, and a steady stream of commiseration. (It's soo hard working with entitled kids and their privileged parents who can afford our hefty fees!) In a recent … Continue reading The Language Police Strike Again! (aka WTF?)
“What International Students Should Know About EducationUSA”
This is a 5 October 2023 U.S. News and World Report article in which I was quoted. Below are my complete responses to the journalist's questions: How does EducationUSA in general help prospective international students who are interested in applying to and attending university in the US? EducationUSA has over 430 international student advising centers in … Continue reading “What International Students Should Know About EducationUSA”
Oz Trades Places with the US – Again
Australia has surpassed the US as the world's leading English-speaking host of Vietnamese students, according to the Australian Department of Education. As of July 2023, there were 27,764 Vietnamese students in Australia, 4% of the total international enrollment and a 39% growth rate compared to the same period last year. As in the US, which … Continue reading Oz Trades Places with the US – Again
The People of Palestine or Gaza?
A couple of weeks ago, I did something I don't do very often; I looked at my Instagram feed. (Full disclosure: It's one of the most boring Instagram accounts in the world because I only use it to follow my company, Capstone Education, and a few other accounts of interest.) Lo and behold, I found … Continue reading The People of Palestine or Gaza?
Let’s ditch the binaries and join the ‘all of humanity’ club
This is my latest essay for University World News. It builds upon some previous articles I've written about nationalism and global citizenship. It's not my original title but I like it. I know my work is always in good hands with UWN editors. I was inspired, so to speak, to write it after reading a … Continue reading Let’s ditch the binaries and join the ‘all of humanity’ club
Vietnamese Enrollments in the US Holding Steady
When it rains, it pours. Being the wonk that I am, I have been checking periodically for a SEVIS update since the last one was uploaded in March 2023. At that time, there were 24,865 Vietnamese students in the US at all levels, mostly in higher education. I recently checked and saw there were numerous … Continue reading Vietnamese Enrollments in the US Holding Steady
Hail The Scrap Collectors and Scavengers!
Photo by MAA. Taken in early October 2023 in Hanoi. These are people most of us ignore or worse look down on. They roam the streets of Hanoi and other cities on their rickety bicycles or aging motorbikes looking for recyclable material they can sell at a very modest profit. When I saw this woman … Continue reading Hail The Scrap Collectors and Scavengers!
Micro-Illustration of a Linear Economy in Action
I took this photo near my Hanoi office. No, this is not litter, although there's plenty of that to go around; it's one way that garbage is disposed of in the nation's cities. Throw it to the curb and the street cleaners will pick it up and put it in their mobile bins. From there … Continue reading Micro-Illustration of a Linear Economy in Action
An International Educator in Vietnam 
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