Author: Mark A. Ashwill

My Starbucks Story: Made in Viet Nam

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , ,

During my first year or so in Viet Nam, i.e., I emailed Howard Schultz, then CEO of Starbucks.  I noticed that a number of coffee chains, including Trung Nguyen and Highlands, were charging Starbucks' prices for coffee drinks, snacks, etc.  These cafes attracted Vietnamese of means who could easily afford a few dollars for a … Continue reading My Starbucks Story: Made in Viet Nam

May-September 2019 US Student Visa Update from Viet Nam

Mark A. Ashwill Updates , , ,

Modest Upward Trend Continues I have some good news for those of you who are involved in the recruitment of US-bound Vietnamese students.  Since this is International Education Week (IEW) in the US, this is a fitting time to upload this post!   Interest in study in the USA among Vietnamese parents and students remains high, … Continue reading May-September 2019 US Student Visa Update from Viet Nam

Happy 10th Anniversary, IEVN!

Mark A. Ashwill Announcement , ,

Happy Anniversary with WordPress.com! You registered on WordPress.com 10 years ago. Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging. Wishing An International Educator in Viet Nam a Happy 10th!  2009 to 2019 is a lot of Information, Insights & (Occasionally) Intrigue.  Here’s to another decade of more of the same!   Not surprisingly, the … Continue reading Happy 10th Anniversary, IEVN!

Announcing Capstone’s Spring 2020 StudyUSA & Canada Higher Education Fairs

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And now a word from our sponsor...  🙂  I'm pleased to announce Capstone's spring 2020 StudyUSA & Canada Higher Education Fairs, which will take place from 21 February to 1 March in Hanoi, Haiphong, Danang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC).  Please click on the ad on the left or the poster below for … Continue reading Announcing Capstone’s Spring 2020 StudyUSA & Canada Higher Education Fairs

The Importance of Showing International Applicants THE LOVE

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Once upon a time, there was a Vietnamese transfer student in the US who was planning to attend one  university and ended up accepting an offer from another.  Here are the main reasons:     1.  The other school has better communication with students, including sending them a note on their birthday and more frequent updates.   … Continue reading The Importance of Showing International Applicants THE LOVE

Educational Advisers: Is Being a US Higher Ed Alum Enough?

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As seen on a Facebook group devoted to the work of independent education counselors (IECs):   Intimidated by college deadlines? #EducationUSA advisers and U.S. university alumni are here to help! Type your questions down below or shoot us an e-mail at manila[AT]educationusa.org or cebu[AT]educationusa.org for any questions and concerns regarding your college applications. Our services are … Continue reading Educational Advisers: Is Being a US Higher Ed Alum Enough?

Air quality app under ‘coordinated attack’ in Vietnam amid heavy Hanoi smog

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , , ,

Sometimes, the truth hurts but it's also useful in solving problems, both individual and societal.  You know the expression, "The first step in solving a problem is recognizing there is one."  Here are two key paragraphs from this 7 October Reuters piece about Hanoi's recent and cyclical air pollution problem and some misguided attempts to … Continue reading Air quality app under ‘coordinated attack’ in Vietnam amid heavy Hanoi smog

Keep Viet Nam Beautiful! Gìn giữ Việt Nam tươi đẹp!

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , , , , ,

Vietnam is the fourth-largest contributor to marine plastic pollution globally, a 2015 study by the University of Georgia showed. I took the above photo during a recent trip to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994 and one of the natural wonders of the world.  While the water is often described as … Continue reading Keep Viet Nam Beautiful! Gìn giữ Việt Nam tươi đẹp!