This is one of my favorite annual reports, one that should be closely read by representatives of every government. Color me naive but I believe that happiness is, after all, one of the primary purposes of government. Keep in mind that this 172 pp. report is not only about "happiness," as in "do you feel … Continue reading Happiness (Among Nations) Is…
civil society
The 7th “Engaging with Vietnam – An Interdisciplinary Dialogue” Conference
in combination with The First Vietnam-US Higher Education Forum I am pleased to share this announcement from the organizers of The 7th "Engaging with Vietnam - An Interdisciplinary Dialogue" Conference in combination with The First Vietnam-US Higher Education Forum. This two-day event will attract Vietnam scholars and other experts from Vietnam and all over the … Continue reading The 7th “Engaging with Vietnam – An Interdisciplinary Dialogue” Conference
The State of Vietnamese Higher Education: Point/Counterpoint
Below is a recent exchange on the Vietnam Studies Group (VSG) listserv between a Vietnamese-American professor and a young Vietnamese who recently graduated from a U.S. institution of higher education. The original post is in reference to an article by Roy J. Nirschel, president of the American University of Vietnam (AUVN), entitled "Picking Up the … Continue reading The State of Vietnamese Higher Education: Point/Counterpoint
Of Emigration, Brain Drain & Brain Gain: Some Reflections
Over the years, I’ve known and helped many young Vietnamese who have studied overseas. Some I knew in passing; others became friends. Quite a few made the decision to remain overseas either in the country in which they studied or a third country. By doing so, they slowly but surely began the transformation from Vietnamese … Continue reading Of Emigration, Brain Drain & Brain Gain: Some Reflections
“Vietnamese Americans should come and live in Vietnam full time”
Interesting, insightful and heartfelt post by Minh, a HCMC-based blogger at Tech In Asia. Introduction: I’m a Vietnamese American. I’ve been living in Vietnam for seven years now. And in that time, I’ve only come back to the States a total of four times. Each time was less than a month. In other words, I’ve been living in … Continue reading “Vietnamese Americans should come and live in Vietnam full time”
Education Companies in Vietnam: Take a Walk on the Wild Side (Part II)
Note: Follow this link to read the first post in this two-part series. Due Diligence Some advice to my foreign higher education colleagues: don't trust any of the come-ons or be seduced by the slick lines in (sometimes) passable English that arrive in your inboxes on a regular basis. Do your homework, check references, and find out who's really behind … Continue reading Education Companies in Vietnam: Take a Walk on the Wild Side (Part II)
Education Companies in Vietnam: Take a Walk on the Wild Side (Part I)
In Vietnam, where cheating is a national pastime and ethical business practices are in dangerously short supply, the world of educational consulting is no exception. EducationUSA fantasies notwithstanding, the reality is that most parents and students work with an education agent instead of applying directly to U.S. (and other foreign) colleges and universities, as in other … Continue reading Education Companies in Vietnam: Take a Walk on the Wild Side (Part I)
My Top 15 Personal Favorites
Last year, I wrote a total of 84 posts, an average of 7 per month. Below are some of my favorite posts starting with one from February and ending with one from last month. Collectively, they cover a lot of ground - from updates and personal stories to commentaries and analyses. If You’ve Got It, Flaunt … Continue reading My Top 15 Personal Favorites
“The Sea of Learning Has No Shore”
No "information, insights or intrigue" in this post just a simple yet profound sentiment that has been expressed in different cultures throughout the ages. It's one I enjoy seeing and contemplating, so much so that this picture graces the walls of my office.
Dancing in the Park
For as long as cities have existed, people have needed spaces where communities can gather and individuals can meet, find diversions, and conduct business. In various times and places, public markets, city parks, wide sidewalks, village and city squares, malls around national monuments, and other organized and unorganized public spaces have filled these roles. In … Continue reading Dancing in the Park
An International Educator in Viet Nam 
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