Author: Mark A. Ashwill

Vietnamese Student Enrollment in the US Holds Steady

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , ,

The US Department of Homeland Security via the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has finally released the latest stats on international students in the US. The last one was March 2019 (!). (Here's 13.1.20 commentary about that.) Gee, I wonder if my many gentle reminders had anything to do with the timing of the … Continue reading Vietnamese Student Enrollment in the US Holds Steady

COVID-19 & Viet Nam

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This is a screenshot from Jealous Coronavirus, an animated music video and public service announcement from the Viet Nam Ministry of Health. Click on "CC" for English subtitles. The transcript has translations in 22 languages. It is based on Jealous, Vietnamese hit song from 2017 Update on 15.3.20 This Wikipedia article 2020 coronavirus pandemic in … Continue reading COVID-19 & Viet Nam

Viet Nam’s New DUI Law: Thank You, National Assembly!

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Bạn trẻ uống bia tại một bữa tiệc - ẢNH: QUANG ĐỊNH (Photo courtesy of Tuoi Tre News) 1 January 2020 was the dawn of a new era in a society in which excessive drinking is considered to be a sign of masculinity and part of doing business. Before that auspicious day, Viet Nam was … Continue reading Viet Nam’s New DUI Law: Thank You, National Assembly!

Capstone Pleased to Be a Study in the USA Partner

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Putting on my managing director's and co-founder's hats, I just wanted to say how much my staff and I enjoy working with the good folks at Study in the USA. I'm a great believer in honor by association and that's exactly what you'll see when you check out the list of Study in the USA … Continue reading Capstone Pleased to Be a Study in the USA Partner

Playing Geopolitical Whack-a-Mole: The Viet Nam Flag Issue Revisited

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“The past is never dead. It's not even past." (from Requiem for a Nun by William Faulkner) Sadly, the "flag issue" is very much alive at many educational institutions, especially those with nearby Vietnamese immigrant communities. If you're intrigued by the title and/or introduction below, follow this link to read the article. I include advice … Continue reading Playing Geopolitical Whack-a-Mole: The Viet Nam Flag Issue Revisited

The Five Remembrances by the Buddha

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Translated by Thích Nhất Hạnh Thích Nhất Hạnh Worth (re)reading from time to time, including at the end of another Lunar Year. (Follow this link for a PDF version of The Five Remembrances. or click on Thích Nhất Hạnh's photo to the left. As he notes, When you deny the reality of life, you appreciate … Continue reading The Five Remembrances by the Buddha

“Why constructive criticism of the US is not anti-American”

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Here's my latest University World News essay from 18 January 2020. (NOTE: Editor's title.) The original working title was Nationalism Rears Its Ugly Head in the Tumultuous World of US International Education, which is descriptive but too long. 🙂 If the title or introduction below whets your appetite for more, follow this link Closeup of … Continue reading “Why constructive criticism of the US is not anti-American”

Chinese vs. Lunar New Year: A Mini-Lesson in Cultural Sensitivity

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Image courtesy of Báo giao thông Since it's that time of year again and the Lunar Year of the Rat is right around the corner, I feel compelled to state the obvious. With all due respect to China, it does not have a monopoly on this or any other Lunar New Year. Tết Nguyên Đán … Continue reading Chinese vs. Lunar New Year: A Mini-Lesson in Cultural Sensitivity