Commentary

“Driven to praise, driving me nuts: a US-Vietnam traffic comparison”

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , ,

Traffic on Nguyen Trai Street in Hanoi's Dong Da District, August 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh This is my latest essay for VNExpress International. A Vietnamese version Lái xe ở Việt Nam (Driving in Vietnam) was published on 22.11.22 with over 200 comments, most in agreement with me. The original title for the English version … Continue reading “Driven to praise, driving me nuts: a US-Vietnam traffic comparison”

Student Recruitment Agents in International Higher Education (Spring 2023)

Mark A. Ashwill Books, Commentary , , ,

A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Challenges and Best Practices This is the very long and descriptive title of a forthcoming book edited by Pii-Tuulia Nikula, Principal Academic, Te Pukenga – New Zealand Institute of Technology and Skills, Vincenzo Raimo, an independent higher education consultant and Visiting Fellow at the University of Reading, where he previously served … Continue reading Student Recruitment Agents in International Higher Education (Spring 2023)

Donald Sanders Luce (1934-2022), RIP

Mark A. Ashwill Announcement, Commentary , , ,

Don Luce at Niagara Falls (Photo credit: Ted Lieverman) It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Don Luce at the age of 88 in Niagara Falls, NY. This 6 December 2022 obituary by Seth Mydans of the New York Times (NYT) is an eloquent and fitting tribute to Don and … Continue reading Donald Sanders Luce (1934-2022), RIP

Beyond the hype, a dirty side of Da Lat

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , , , ,

Trash is left at Lam Vien Square in the heart of Da Lat. Photo by Paul Olivier I was pleased to see VNExpress International publish this article by Paul Olivier. The dire situation that he describes applies to many cities and towns throughout Vietnam. Be sure to have a look at the comments. Paul criticizes … Continue reading Beyond the hype, a dirty side of Da Lat

Thanksgiving: A Bittersweet Holiday

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

This image accompanied a message I received from the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD), of which I'm a member: The Mayflower Society wishes you a healthy and happy Thanksgiving! It's an idealized view, glorious rays of sunshine and all, of a ship that brought saints and strangers, Puritans who came to be known as … Continue reading Thanksgiving: A Bittersweet Holiday

A Poem About the Passage of Time

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , ,

The poem below is by Ricardo Gondim, a Brazilian theologian and progressive pastor. It is often misattributed to Mário de Andrade (1893-1945), poet, novelist, essayist, musicologist, and one of the founders of Brazilian modernism. Check out this 2020 post “My Soul Has a Hat” by Mário de Andrade Is Fake News for more information. (I'm … Continue reading A Poem About the Passage of Time

Chi phí của sự tăng trưởng không giới hạn

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary ,

This is a Vietnamese translation of my 8.9.22 article entitled You can't eat money: the cost of unlimited growth that originally appeared in VNExpress International and was subsequently reprinted by CounterPunch. Translation by Nhã Uyên. (Cảm ơn đồng chí!) Shalom (שלום), MAA Ca-na-đa, một trong những quốc gia giàu có nhất, hoạt động trên một nền kinh … Continue reading Chi phí của sự tăng trưởng không giới hạn

US Student Visa Update for FY2022: That’s a Wrap!

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , ,

This is a continuation of a post from 8 August 2022 that includes information for the entire fiscal year, i.e., from 10-1-21 to 9-30-22. The good news is that the Vietnam market for US-bound students is making a strong recovery in the new normal era. Student visa issuances are inching up to pre-pandemic levels. This … Continue reading US Student Visa Update for FY2022: That’s a Wrap!