This is an excellent survey conducted by World Education Services (WES) about the use of education agents by students around the world - with the exception of Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Here's a brief note about their analysis, including some caveats. Survey results are broken down by region of origin. We … Continue reading Decoding International Students’ Experiences With Education Agents: Insights for U.S. Institutions
Author: Mark A. Ashwill
Government to ease rules on foreign investment in HE
This is yet another example of the Vietnamese government's flexibility, as well as its ability to make mid-course corrections and learn from past mistakes. A new government decree to ease the way for foreign investment in education in Vietnam, likely to be approved by the country’s leadership as early as June, will streamline procedures and … Continue reading Government to ease rules on foreign investment in HE
The Education Agent Issue in the US: Like a Bad Penny
It’s reminiscent of those trick candles that delight children and adults alike. (OK, some adults.) You blow them out and they continue to relight themselves – like magic! While the US was late to the agent debate, actions that have been taken to date, while most would agree represent progress, have clearly not assuaged everyone’s … Continue reading The Education Agent Issue in the US: Like a Bad Penny
The Fat Lady Finally Sings: Bob Kerrey Quietly Resigns from Fulbright University Vietnam Leadership Position
Below is an excerpt from my latest CounterPunch article about Bob Kerrey and Fulbright University Vietnam. Think of it as the 2017 bookend to my 2016 CP article, Bob Kerrey and Fulbright University – What were they thinking?, published a month after the controversy erupted. Follow this link to read it in its entirety. MAA … Continue reading The Fat Lady Finally Sings: Bob Kerrey Quietly Resigns from Fulbright University Vietnam Leadership Position
Summer 2017 VietAbroader Study Abroad Camp (VASAC) in HCMC & Hanoi
Dear Friends & Colleagues, I'm pleased to share with you information about the summer 2017 VietAbroader Study Abroad Camps (VASAC) in mid-July. These events are different than in years past because they will last for four (4) days instead of one (1). For those of you who don't about VietAbroader (VA), whose slogan is Empower … Continue reading Summer 2017 VietAbroader Study Abroad Camp (VASAC) in HCMC & Hanoi
What is Your Ikigai?
Everyone I know who is happy is working well at something they consider important. Abraham Maslow I had the opportunity to speak to about 150 10th graders at one of the more selective high schools in Hanoi earlier this week. I chose to speak to them not about overseas study in general or study in … Continue reading What is Your Ikigai?
Just Because the Golden Arches are in Vietnam Doesn’t Mean the US Won the War
Here's my latest CounterPunch article, in response to a statement in a TV interview by a Pulitzer Prize-winning Vietnamese-American author that the US won the war because Viet Nam shifted to a free market economy. Here's an excerpt to whet your appetite: Last December, Viet Thanh Nguyen, a chaired professor of English and American Studies … Continue reading Just Because the Golden Arches are in Vietnam Doesn’t Mean the US Won the War
New Rector of the VNU-Hanoi University of Education
Congratulations to Professor Nguyễn Quý Thanh on his appointment as rector of the VNU-Hanoi University of Education, one of Viet Nam's most important institutions of higher education. It was my pleasure and honor to be a guest at this ceremony last week. Dr. Thanh, who previously served as director of the VNU Institute for Quality … Continue reading New Rector of the VNU-Hanoi University of Education
Breaking into Cambodia: Asia’s new tiger economy
My latest article, this time about Cambodia, was published by The PIE Blog with this introduction: An economic transformation, demographic change and greater access to digital resources are all driving demand for study abroad among Cambodian students. Mark Ashwill, managing director of Capstone Vietnam, shares why the market is ripe for overseas institutions looking to recruit international students, … Continue reading Breaking into Cambodia: Asia’s new tiger economy
Riding the Wave: An Update on Student Recruitment in Viet Nam
Riding the Wave: An Update on Student Recruitment in Viet Nam An Unofficial Pre-NAFSA Annual Conference Seminar Date: Monday, May 29, 2017 Time: 10 a.m.- 12 noon Seminar Leader: Dr. Mark Ashwill, Managing Director, Capstone Vietnam Co-Speaker: Phuc Phan, Founder and Instructional Designer, College Scout Content by Dr. Mark Ashwill A comprehensive … Continue reading Riding the Wave: An Update on Student Recruitment in Viet Nam
An International Educator in Vietnam 
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