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
Commentary
Time & Money for Fake Universities But Not Routine Data Updates
The clock is stuck at March 2019. While information may not always be power, it certainly is helpful in professional decision-making. The last SEVIS by the Numbers update was 10 months ago. I have sent no fewer than six (6) emails to our friendly colleagues at the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which is … Continue reading Time & Money for Fake Universities But Not Routine Data Updates
"Bad rap haunts Vietnam despite tourism boom"
I was interviewed for this 31.12.19 VNExpress International article by Quy Nguyen about some challenges facing the tourism industry in Viet Nam. Below is the entire interview. The phrase "bad rap" indicates that the reputation is undeserved when, in fact, these are all legitimate and, in some cases, critical issues. As an expat living in … Continue reading "Bad rap haunts Vietnam despite tourism boom"
2019: A Year to Remember
Dear Friends, Colleagues, & Followers, The title of this post has a mostly positive connotation. Yes, these are challenging times in the fields of international education in general and international student recruitment in particular, for some countries more than others because of sociopolitical changes. The good news is that there is still tremendous interest in … Continue reading 2019: A Year to Remember
British American Tobacco (BAT) Academy
While checking out my LinkedIn account recently, I stumbled upon a video produced by British American Tobacco (BAT). It was about a trip to London for 140 employees from more than 40 countries, including Viet Nam. Keep in mind that this is a country in which nearly 50% of all men smoke and growing numbers … Continue reading British American Tobacco (BAT) Academy
Cold as ICE: A Lame Attempt to Justify a Waste of Taxpayer Dollars & Entrapment
Below in navy blue is an official statement from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting deputy director about the faux University of Farmington. (Remember the last sting operation in 2013, the University of Northern New Jersey?) Here are the questions - in no particular order - that I would ask Mr. Benner, if … Continue reading Cold as ICE: A Lame Attempt to Justify a Waste of Taxpayer Dollars & Entrapment
Tier 4 Visa Issuance Data: Update for Study Abroad Market Stakeholders
Below is a copy/paste from a recent StudyUK/British Council update, very good news for UK educational institutions and those, consultants and education agents, who help promote and facilitate study in the UK. (I wish the US government were as efficient, detailed, and timely with its updates. I and many others also wish that the F-1 … Continue reading Tier 4 Visa Issuance Data: Update for Study Abroad Market Stakeholders
