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

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

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

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

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

Hi, everyone! My name is Thanh Huyen. I have just finished my freshman year at Fresno State University in California. A year ago, I was a high school senior who was not ready to say goodbye to that part of my life and beautiful Hanoi. But even at the time, I knew that I wanted … Continue reading GUEST POST: Beyond the 23KG: Part I by Huyen Nguyen

‘American Universities Are Addicted to Chinese Students’

A startling number of Chinese students are getting kicked out of American colleges. According to a white paper published by WholeRen, a Pittsburgh-based consultancy, an estimated 8,000 students from China were expelled from universities and colleges across the United States in 2013-4. The vast majority of these students—around 80 percent—were removed due to cheating or … Continue reading ‘American Universities Are Addicted to Chinese Students’

Financial Aid: Don’t Trust, Verify!

Taking the theme of gaming the system and running with it,  there is also the issue of financial aid and how to determine need, which becomes much more difficult once you begin evaluating international student applications. There are schools that award some type of financial aid to all admitted Vietnamese students.  Others, especially the more … Continue reading Financial Aid: Don’t Trust, Verify!

Of Letters of Recommendation, Smoke & Mirrors

I've written quite a bit about gaming the system here because it's such a common occurrence in US higher education admission among many international students in Vietnam and elsewhere.  Why take the long way home when you can take a shortcut, right?  Improve your chances, use your God-given intelligence and ingenuity, keep your ear to … Continue reading Of Letters of Recommendation, Smoke & Mirrors

An American Math Center Sets Up Shop in Vietnam

Welcome to Mathnasium—your neighborhood math-only learning center that teaches kids math the way that makes sense to them. Our experienced math tutors utilize our proprietary teaching materials and techniques, The Mathnasium Method™, to deliver a customized learning plan designed to address each student's needs, whether they started out far behind or are already ahead in … Continue reading An American Math Center Sets Up Shop in Vietnam

US International Student “Market Share” Steadily Eroding

According to the 2014 Open Doors report, released by the Institute of International Education, there are 886,052 international students in the US, which makes it the world's leading host.  (There are now a total of 1.13 million F & M students studying in the US, according to the 2/15 SEVIS quarterly update.  That includes all … Continue reading US International Student “Market Share” Steadily Eroding

The Wall Times 65: Commemorate That

As official United States forges ahead with its controversial 13-year Commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, which, incredibly, extends from May 28, 2012 to November 11, 2025, and the world celebrates the 40th anniversary of the end of the American War in Vietnam this month, here's a simple exercise that will help … Continue reading The Wall Times 65: Commemorate That