Commentary

Financial Aid for Vietnamese Students?

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

If your institution awards financial aid to Vietnamese students, I hope your approach is of the "trust but verify" variety.  Not all parents and students are honest, and Viet Nam is no exception.  Many people of means are happy to game the system and accept financial aid, if they can get it. I remember a … Continue reading Financial Aid for Vietnamese Students?

US Visa Overstays: Is the Sky Falling?

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

The Trump administration recently proposed (yet another) new rule related to nonimmigrant, including student, visas.  This one, if approved, will establish a maximum period of authorized stay for international students and other holders of certain nonimmigrant visas.  Why?  Is there something broken that needs to be fixed?  Are the overstay rates breaking new records?  Do … Continue reading US Visa Overstays: Is the Sky Falling?

Proposed Change to Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility

Mark A. Ashwill Announcement, Commentary , , ,

Yet Another Obstacle in the Path of Obtaining a US Student Visa?   Sadly, YES, if this proposal becomes law.  From the horse's mouth:   Section 212(a)(4) of the INA: Any alien who, in the opinion of the consular officer at the time of application for a visa, or in the opinion of the Attorney General at … Continue reading Proposed Change to Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility

Vietnam Hangs Out the Welcome Sign for International Schools

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

The Vietnamese government is keen on attracting more FDI and expanding educational opportunities for its young people. Decree 86 covers both bases. In the spirit of giving credit where credit’s due, it is an example of good governance, a smart and timely decision that will pay off in the long-term for both individuals and society. … Continue reading Vietnam Hangs Out the Welcome Sign for International Schools

#YouAreWelcomeWhere? A Call to Action

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

This is a post I wrote for The World View, a Boston College Center for International Higher Education blog hosted by Inside Higher Ed (IHE).  It is as much a wake-up call as it is a call to action.     One of my main points, which obviously went over the heads of some readers who commented, … Continue reading #YouAreWelcomeWhere? A Call to Action

Gun Violence & Study in the USA

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

I spoke to some students last Friday at a top private high school in Hanoi about overseas study.  Among the small group that was planning to study overseas, they mentioned Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and New Zealand as potential destinations.  Not one expressed interest in studying in the US.  When I asked why, they … Continue reading Gun Violence & Study in the USA

An ethical approach to commissions-based recruitment

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

Below is the unabridged version of an article with the above title that Eddie West and I wrote for University World News (UWN).  Follow this link to read that version. Incentive-Based Compensation & International Student Recruitment: Is There a Better Way?  By Mark A. Ashwill & Eddie West The agent issue in the US is reminiscent … Continue reading An ethical approach to commissions-based recruitment

Teaching Tolerance: A Facebook Message from the Head of School, The Northwest School (Seattle, WA, USA)

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

I noticed this post on my Facebook feed and felt compelled to share it with a wider audience.  The Northwest School has 509 students, 70 of whom are international, including some from Viet Nam.   Shalom (שלום), MAA Dear Parents and Families: Sadly, I write yet again to acknowledge and denounce acts of hate and violence that … Continue reading Teaching Tolerance: A Facebook Message from the Head of School, The Northwest School (Seattle, WA, USA)

Visa Issuance Rate as Institutional Selling Point (or Not)

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , ,

Note:  This post is devoted exclusively to the US student visa for the obvious reason that it has the most irrational and unpredictable process of the top host countries for Vietnamese and other international students.  This is heartfelt advice to US colleagues, especially higher education, who have their work cut out for them these days … Continue reading Visa Issuance Rate as Institutional Selling Point (or Not)