US Education Admission – By Hook or By Crook

Everyone knows of the smart kid who decided to apply “DIY” and then wasn’t accepted—and they don’t want to risk being  the next one. Unfortunately, there’s a sense in China that the honest applicants are the chumps. (What Students in China Have Taught Me About U.S. College Admissions, Terry Crawford, The Atlantic, 6.1.15) There's editing … Continue reading US Education Admission – By Hook or By Crook

One Less Finger in the Dike: Financial Autonomy & VN Higher Education

At least seven public universities in Vietnam have applied for “financial autonomy” since the government promised late last year that it would give them full control over fiscal affairs, including setting their own tuition rates.  Two of the applicants – Ton Duc Thang University and University of Economics in Ho Chi Minh City – have … Continue reading One Less Finger in the Dike: Financial Autonomy & VN Higher Education

Lord of the Flies, Vietnam-Style

A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members. ~ Mahatma Gandhi School bullying is not a problem unique to Vietnam but it is one that has been on the rise in recent years and that receives considerable coverage in the media.  In this case, it was a 7th grade girl in … Continue reading Lord of the Flies, Vietnam-Style

Lời nói cần đi đôi với việc làm!

NOTE:  This is the Vietnamese version of Walking the walk – Ethical agency-based recruitment, an article of mine that appeared in University World News on 12.12.14. Ở Việt Nam, việc gian lận ngày phổ biến và công việc làm ăn có đạo đức ngày một ít đi, ngành giáo dục cũng không tránh khỏi những … Continue reading Lời nói cần đi đôi với việc làm!

Reflections on Five (5) Years of Capstone Vietnam, Educational Consulting in Vietnam & Overseas Study Trends: Part II

This is the English version of part II of a two-part interview series with me that recently appeared in the Vietnamese media.  Follow this link to read part I. Do you have any advice to guide parents and students – their children - who want to study abroad? Knowing that most parents and students seek … Continue reading Reflections on Five (5) Years of Capstone Vietnam, Educational Consulting in Vietnam & Overseas Study Trends: Part II

Reflections on Five (5) Years of Capstone Vietnam, Educational Consulting in Vietnam & Overseas Study Trends: Part I

This is the English version of part I of a two-part interview with me that recently appeared in the Vietnamese media.  Follow this link to read part II. In the five years since Capstone Vietnam was established, it has earned a reputation in Vietnam, the U.S. and elsewhere for quality and innovation, and is emerging … Continue reading Reflections on Five (5) Years of Capstone Vietnam, Educational Consulting in Vietnam & Overseas Study Trends: Part I

Thiết lập thông tin chính xác, nghiêm túc

Đây là bài cuối cùng tôi viết trong năm 2014, một năm thành công trên nhiều mặt. Dưới đây, tôi xin kể một tình huống đã trải qua khi dùng internet để dẫn chứng thêm nhận định về Internet , công cụ vừa mang lại những tiện ích, vừa là mối hiểm họa khó lường. … Continue reading Thiết lập thông tin chính xác, nghiêm túc

Financial Document Fraud & Visa Applications

Trust, but verify. (Russian proverb:  doveryai, no proveryai; Доверяй, но проверяй) Documents that have been in the hands of students are generally not considered official.  World Education Services (WES), a US-based credentials evaluation service Yes, dear reader, this practice, which is not unique to Vietnam, continues unabated.  Why?  Because it works in the vast majority … Continue reading Financial Document Fraud & Visa Applications

Of US-Based Visa Mills, Diploma Mills & Other Rogue Providers

Government watchdogs say the recent visa fraud cases have exposed gaps in ICE's oversight of schools that admit foreign students - a problem the agency says is being corrected. And experts say the scams hurt the reputation of the U.S. higher education system, which currently enrolls about 900,000 foreign students. "Fake Colleges Attract Attention From … Continue reading Of US-Based Visa Mills, Diploma Mills & Other Rogue Providers

Student Visa Counseling Services

There’s a new consulting kid on the block. The announcement below, which recently appeared in my inbox, is from a US-based company (I'll call it "Student Visa Company") that is looking for education agents in Vietnam and elsewhere to refer students to their visa counseling service. Visa Problems? A Former Vice-Consul is Here to Help … Continue reading Student Visa Counseling Services