The Value of Negative Role Models

05/08/2015 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary innovation, small business

If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It AKA How to Run a Successful Business Into the Ground in One Easy Step I often use this theme when talking about countries, e.g., the US as a positive and negative role model for Vietnam, but this time it's about a small business in a big city. It's … Continue reading The Value of Negative Role Models

“As Sestak scandal draws to close, US government gives up on millions”

03/08/2015 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Updates corruption, visa fraud, visa policy

Living up to one word in the subtitle of this venerable blog, here's some more intrigue for you. Below are some of the "money paragraphs" from this update. My guess is the fat lady hasn't sung yet on this bizarre case. Follow this link to read the entire article. It's not show me the money, … Continue reading “As Sestak scandal draws to close, US government gives up on millions”

The F-1 as the (Immigration) Path of Least Resistance

31/07/2015 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary emigration, immigration, Vietnamese students, visa policy

I've heard on the grapevine from reliable sources that increasing numbers of Vietnamese students from certain areas in Vietnam are not showing up for classes at certain US higher education institutions. They apply (or someone applies for them), receive their I-20s, have a visa interview and A) are denied; or B) receive a visa, travel … Continue reading The F-1 as the (Immigration) Path of Least Resistance

Make it in Germany

21/07/2015 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary brain circulation, emerging economies, emigration, germany, overseas study, vietnam, Vietnamese students, visa policy

A Multilingual “Welcome to Germany” Portal for International Qualified Professionals Germany is tied with Japan as the "oldest" country in the world with a median age of 46.1. In a phrase "the Germans are dying out" (die Deutschen sterben aus). It's estimated that the population will shrink to 66 million by 2060 from a current … Continue reading Make it in Germany

Challenge to Industry Competitors: Take Your Game to the Next Level!

16/07/2015 Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary education agents, emerging economies, imitation, innovation, knowledge-based economy, vietnam, vietnam development

Dear IEinV Followers, I know that many of you are US and foreign higher education colleagues because of the feedback I receive. Included among the "others" are some government friends and competitors. The latter drop by to see what I'm up to and to see what (free) information they can glean from my posts for … Continue reading Challenge to Industry Competitors: Take Your Game to the Next Level!

“Diplomas, Transcripts & Certificates – Sellin’ Like Hotcakes!” Revisited

14/07/2015 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary corruption, fake credentials

More intrigue in the blog that promises (and delivers!) Information, Insights & (Occasionally) Intrigue. Sometimes, like articles, these posts just write themselves. I'm just the humble medium. I received a comment last week from someone in the biz, the fake certificate biz, that is, in response to 2013 post entitled Diplomas, Transcripts & Certificates – Sellin’ … Continue reading “Diplomas, Transcripts & Certificates – Sellin’ Like Hotcakes!” Revisited

Follow the Money: VEF Funding Revisited

08/07/2015 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary american war in vietnam, vietnam education foundation, vietnam war

I had the privilege of being an invited speaker at yesterday's First Vietnam-US Higher Education Forum in Hanoi. During the morning plenary session, one speaker referred to the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) as a US government program. I took the liberty of pointing out to the assembled throng that it is, in fact, a scholarship-for-debt … Continue reading Follow the Money: VEF Funding Revisited

“What International Students Think About U.S. Higher Education” (Revisited)

24/06/201524/06/2015 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Reports, Survey international student recruitment, overseas study, US-Vietnam educational exchange, Vietnamese students

Attitudes and Perceptions of Prospective Students From Around the World (2015) New edition, revised and expanded According to the website announcement, this revised and expanded Institute of International Education (IIE) report examines the attitudes and perceptions that international students who are considering studying in the United States have of U.S. higher education and other key … Continue reading “What International Students Think About U.S. Higher Education” (Revisited)

China & Vietnam: A Study in the USA Comparison

21/06/2015 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Updates boarding schools, china, education reform, emerging economies, international student recruitment, international students, overseas study, vietnam, vietnam development, Vietnamese students

Given the intriguing historical relationship between Vietnam and China, I thought it might be interesting to do a brief comparison between the two as it relates to study in the USA. But first, here’s some basic up-to-date (as of 2014) information about each country. China The population of China is estimated at 1,393,783,836 as of … Continue reading China & Vietnam: A Study in the USA Comparison

GUEST POST: Beyond the 23KG: Part II by Huyen Nguyen

16/06/2015 Mark A. Ashwill Commentary international students, overseas study, pre-departure orientation, Vietnamese students

Follow this link to read part I. 4. Kindness to your future self Yup, this sounds a bit weird, but there really is a reason why the week of finals is called “Hell Week.” I know that only after going to college. What I also know is that the week right before it can actually … Continue reading GUEST POST: Beyond the 23KG: Part II by Huyen Nguyen

An International Educator in Vietnam

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