Countries as Role Models: A Double-Edged Sword (aka Yes, No, It Depends) In my conversations with young people and colleagues here about overseas study, I frequently emphasize the positive/negative role model dimensions of cross-cultural exchange in general and as they relate to comparative education in particular. Learn from another country's strengths and weaknesses. Adapt and localize … Continue reading Counterpoint: A US American’s Critique of a Harvard Position Paper (and More)
Commentary
RA, NA & EducationUSA: Mixing Apples & Oranges
It’s always been a mystery to me why EducationUSA (i.e., the US State Department - on behalf of the US Government - on behalf of the American taxpayer) represents all “officially accredited” institutions of higher education in its 400+ advising centers around the world. After all, there is absolutely no comparison between regionally accredited (RA) … Continue reading RA, NA & EducationUSA: Mixing Apples & Oranges
Should the U.S. State Department Copy the British Council?
The British Council, as an education provider, a research analyst, and a conference convener is an interesting model. At the very least, taking a look at the British Council makes me wonder why the United States government does not pull back and take a big-picture look at what it might do to provide better … Continue reading Should the U.S. State Department Copy the British Council?
When Federal Agents Come Calling: Educating Campus Stakeholders
Sounds scary, huh? This is the name of a webinar offered by NAFSA: Association of International Educators on 22 March. For $149 for members ($189 for nonmembers) you could have “come away with strategies for building positive relationships with federal agents and dealing with difficult situations.” According to the webinar “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently … Continue reading When Federal Agents Come Calling: Educating Campus Stakeholders
If You’ve Got It, Flaunt It!
Luxury, of course, is a revolutionary new way of life in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, whose citizens have had to contend with war, poverty, a devastating US-led economic embargo that ended in 1994 (i.e., only 18 years ago!), dislocation, corruption and mismanagement in recent generations. This explains the typically nouveau riche behavior on display, mostly in the nation's big … Continue reading If You’ve Got It, Flaunt It!
US-Based or Affiliated Unaccredited Institutions in Vietnam
Consider the following list of (22) U.S.-based or affiliated unaccredited schools that have entered the higher education market in Vietnam as a dishonor roll of sorts. Most are "online universities" and some are diploma mills, defined as "a usually unregulated institution of higher education granting degrees with few or no academic requirements." For information about New Typologies for Crossborder Higher Education, … Continue reading US-Based or Affiliated Unaccredited Institutions in Vietnam
Nationally Accredited U.S. Institutions with a Vietnam Connection
Below is a list of thirteen (13) known nationally accredited U.S.-based institutions operating in Vietnam, many in cooperation with a local partner. For the record, national accreditation (NA) is not comparable to regional accreditation (RA), which is generally considered to be the "gold standard" of higher education accreditation in the U.S. If you're interested in learning more about the differences … Continue reading Nationally Accredited U.S. Institutions with a Vietnam Connection
What’s in a Name?
I recently came across a company whose name sounds a lot like the name of a former employer, a certain US NGO whose slogan is Opening Minds to the World. It has a nice ring to it and is sure to remind people of a well-known entity in Vietnam with exactly the same name. I'm sure it's … Continue reading What’s in a Name?
Hieu’s Story: The Next Chapter
Some of you may recall my 26 November blog post about Nguyen Trung Hieu, an 11th grader at the Hanoi-Amsterdam School for the Gifted, whose literature class assignment somehow found its way onto the Internet, where it has touched the hearts of millions and spurred an outpouring of support. A Dream Fulfilled Shortly after Hieu’s … Continue reading Hieu’s Story: The Next Chapter
Top Ten Most Popular Posts of 2011
People visit my blog for many and varied reasons. Some arrive here from a search engine while others visit on a regular basis looking for up-to-date information about Vietnam and, in particular, US-Vietnam educational exchange. Here are the top ten posts of 2011. The first one from November 2010 about student visas and US community colleges … Continue reading Top Ten Most Popular Posts of 2011
An International Educator in Vietnam 
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