Author: Mark A. Ashwill

(Yet) Another Variation on the “Dog & Pony Show” Theme

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , ,

This is a topic I've written (and spoken) about for many years.   It might be time for me to update a 2014 article of mine entitled Walking the walk – Ethical agency-based recruitment about the many ways in which education companies cheat their partners, non-partners, and clients.  The list just keeps getting longer and longer.  Sigh.   … Continue reading (Yet) Another Variation on the “Dog & Pony Show” Theme

More Vietnamese Students in South Korea Than Australia

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

Yes, it's true.  Check out the infographic below, courtesy of the Australian Department of Education and Training.  As of 11-18, Viet Nam ranked 6th among sending countries with 24,094 students studying at all levels in Australia.   Incredibly, there were more Vietnamese studying in South Korea than Australia last year.  As in Japan, Viet Nam ranked … Continue reading More Vietnamese Students in South Korea Than Australia

The Metamorphosis of International Students Into Honorary US Nationalists: a View from Viet Nam

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , , ,

Follow this link to read my latest article, which is about a phenomenon I've observed over the years, namely, how some young Vietnamese who study in the USA become what I refer to as honorary US nationalists.  (If you're not sure what nationalism means, have a look at this 2016 essay.  Hint:  It's quite different … Continue reading The Metamorphosis of International Students Into Honorary US Nationalists: a View from Viet Nam

New Approaches to University Education in Asia

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Conferences , , , ,

While I will reserve judgement, the theme of this Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) conference sounds like yet another example of US Americans telling others, in the case, Asian universities, how it should really be done a la Daddy knows best.  Why not just New Approaches to University Education?   Or, as one colleague put it, "It's … Continue reading New Approaches to University Education in Asia

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day from Viet Nam!

Mark A. Ashwill Events , , ,

Beyond Viet Nam:  A Time to Break Silence, a speech Dr. King gave at the Riverside Church in New York City on 4 April 1967, a year to the day before he was assassinated is always worth a read and a listen on this or any other day:  text and audio.  His friendship with Thích Nhất … Continue reading Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day from Viet Nam!

“Now What?” TedX Hanoi May Provide a Few Answers

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Events , , ,

Here's some information about the latest TedX Hanoi event on 19 January 2019 that will attempt to provide some answers to this very timely question.   The signs of Vietnam’s amazing progress are all around us. Increased growth from Vietnamese companies, and increased investment from international firms, lead to better jobs and rising incomes. With a … Continue reading “Now What?” TedX Hanoi May Provide a Few Answers

EducationUSA Closed for Business

Mark A. Ashwill Announcement , , , ,

From the website of US Mission-Viet Nam: Lapse in U.S. Government Appropriations The Federal Government of the United States of America is currently in a Lapse of Appropriations period. Scheduled passport and visas services, and emergency services for U.S. citizens, will continue at the U.S. Embassy Hanoi and our Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City … Continue reading EducationUSA Closed for Business

Cheating in the Education Industry: Let Me Count the Ways!

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , ,

Here's another one to add to my long and ever-growing list.  It's a variation on the theme of the classic dog and pony show that so many education fairs are these days.   As a fair organizer, do you want to guarantee a certain number of students at your events?  Don't go the route of ethical … Continue reading Cheating in the Education Industry: Let Me Count the Ways!

Top US 10 States & Leading Host Institutions by Location

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Updates , , ,

689,063 international students in the US in 2017/18, or 63% of the total, studied in 10 states, according to Open Doors 2018 data.  You can see a list of 50 states and some US territories by following this link, or click on each state below to see its fact sheet (PDF download).  Each fact sheet … Continue reading Top US 10 States & Leading Host Institutions by Location

Fulbright University Vietnam & Moral Leadership?

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Events , , ,

Given events of the past few years, these are two phrases that mix like oil and water.  Think textbook cognitive dissonance.  Or a feeble attempt at rehabilitation in the eyes of the public, an audacious means of gaining the moral high ground from the morass of historical tone deafness and gross insensitivity.   My first reaction … Continue reading Fulbright University Vietnam & Moral Leadership?