Aside from the title of this 5 July Bloomberg Businessweek article, an unfortunate play on what has been described as a "short-lived campaign by the United States military during the Vietnam War intended to win the popular support of the Vietnamese people," I always have mixed feelings when I read about this type of project. While it's great that … Continue reading “In Vietnam, P&G Woos Hearts, Minds, and Schools”
Commentary
“Patent Pending: How Immigrants Are Reinventing The American Economy”
While this is not exactly breaking news, I am pleased to see how this trend is being documented in order to build an even stronger case for visa policy reform. It's an issue that unites key business and political leaders, including President Obama, as well as professional associations such as NAFSA: Association of International Educators. This report, issued by The Partnership for a … Continue reading “Patent Pending: How Immigrants Are Reinventing The American Economy”
US Nationalism
As the 4th of July approaches, I thought it would be a fitting time to share something I've noticed in my statistics: US nationalism frequently ranks among the top ten search engine terms that lead many people to my blog. By entering this term in Google, Yahoo or wherever, they're obviously interested in learning more about the topic. They're also on to something. … Continue reading US Nationalism
“Institute Accused of Falsely Reporting How It Spent State Dept. Funds Settles Lawsuit for $1-Million”
Now that's a headline you don't see very often in The Chronicle of Higher Education, the weekly bible of the US higher education community. This is not just any run-of-the-mill institute but the Institute of International Education (IIE), one of "the world's largest and most experienced international education and training organizations," according to its website. This 16 April … Continue reading “Institute Accused of Falsely Reporting How It Spent State Dept. Funds Settles Lawsuit for $1-Million”
“Obama targets diploma mills that market to vets”
White House issues new protections for military families, veterans targeted by diploma mills You're dealing with folks who aren't interested in helping you. They're not interested in helping you find the best program. They are interested in getting the money. They don't care about you; they care about the cash. That's appalling. That's disgraceful. It … Continue reading “Obama targets diploma mills that market to vets”
Counterpoint: A US American’s Critique of a Harvard Position Paper (and More)
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)
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!
An International Educator in Vietnam 
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