Vietnam: Off The Beaten Track (OTBT) Tour 2014

Below is a description of a new tour organized by EducationUSA, US Embassy, Hanoi.  Its purpose is to reach out to talented and gifted students in five (5) provinces in northern Vietnam.  Eligible t0ur participants include those who wish to "engage with Vietnam's top students who are prime candidates for U.S. institutions looking to diversity … Continue reading Vietnam: Off The Beaten Track (OTBT) Tour 2014

A Blast from the Past: The Day CNN Business Traveller Came to Town

It was at this table at a popular Hanoi cafe that I had a conversation with Richard Quest, of CNN Business Traveller fame, nine years ago this summer.  Quest was in town to tape a show about Vietnam that took a look at "the practical aspects of doing business in Vietnam, from cultural practices through to legalities for setting … Continue reading A Blast from the Past: The Day CNN Business Traveller Came to Town

Higher Education Admission Reform in Vietnam: The Next Generation

Below is the English version of an article of mine that was published on the Vietnam National University-Hanoi website earlier this month.  Follow this link to read the Vietnamese translation:  ĐHQGHN đi đầu trong đổi mới căn bản và sâu sắc hệ thống tuyển sinh ĐH của Việt Nam. Just as Vietnam revealed its practical … Continue reading Higher Education Admission Reform in Vietnam: The Next Generation

Cross-Border Education vs. Overseas Study: Similar But Different

In the 1 July 2014 issue of NAFSA.news there was a misleading statement about Vietnamese students and overseas study.  Below are 1) the headline and statement from NAFSA; and 2) the actual University World News article on which the NAFSA post is based, along with my response. [For the uninitiated, NAFSA:  Association of International Educators, … Continue reading Cross-Border Education vs. Overseas Study: Similar But Different

The Cat’s Outta the Bag! Another Path to US Citizenship

Psst!  There are only a few strings attached, including service in the military of the world's leading host of international students.  For the few, the proud, the international health care professionals proficient in certain languages with associated cultural backgrounds. It's no secret that a significant percentage of international students remain in the US to work … Continue reading The Cat’s Outta the Bag! Another Path to US Citizenship

2nd Annual Mini-Fair on U.S.-Vietnam Joint Programs: Mixing Apples & Oranges

At the end of May, EducationUSA in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) organized the 2nd annual fair for US-Vietnam joint education programs.  If you take a look at the list below, you'll notice mostly oranges (regionally accredited colleges and universities) with a couple of apples (nationally accredited institutions) mixed in.  This is the problematic situation in which … Continue reading 2nd Annual Mini-Fair on U.S.-Vietnam Joint Programs: Mixing Apples & Oranges

Vietnam Youth Speak 2014

The RMIT chapter of AIESEC has launched an online survey called Vietnam Youth Speak 2014.  AIESEC in Vietnam was established in 2006. For the past 7 years it has been facilitating youth leadership activities as well as international internships & volunteer experiences across Vietnam. The survey, which has 40 questions and takes an estimated 10 … Continue reading Vietnam Youth Speak 2014

“Half of Chinese students at elite US colleges don’t want to return”

While this article is based on a survey of a small group of Chinese students at elite US higher education institutions, there are parallels with the situation of Vietnamese students at all types of US colleges and universities.  Based on anecdotal evidence, the percentage of Vietnamese students who choose not to return home after completing … Continue reading “Half of Chinese students at elite US colleges don’t want to return”

Host Country’s Gain=Vietnam’s Loss?

This guest post was written by "Hien Nguyen", a Vietnamese student studying in Country X.  Hien explains some of the reasons why a significant percentage of young Vietnamese make the fateful decision to emigrate, to the benefit of their host country and, in some respects, to the loss of their home country.  (I say "in … Continue reading Host Country’s Gain=Vietnam’s Loss?

Fraud Alert!

Sleazy:  dishonest or immoral; marked by low character or quality Synonyms:  skanky [slang], slatternly, sluttish, slutty, trampy Antonyms:  excellent, fine, first-class, first-rate, good, high-grade, superior, top-notch Yes, dear reader, here's another story about a US institution of higher education that uses lies and deception as key tactics in its aggressive student recruitment strategy in Vietnam … Continue reading Fraud Alert!