It makes me happy to see the results of this annual report on happiness. The description sums it up: "The Experts say social support, honesty and generosity key to wellbeing." How much social support, honesty, and generosity is there in your country? For the uninitiated, this survey uses a variety of criteria to generate a … Continue reading Finland Named World’s Happiest Country for Fifth Consecutive Year
corruption
About Viet Nam’s “gifting culture”
Giving gifts to people in authority has become normal, but we have to be aware it institutionalizes an 'underworld.' Also known as an "envelope culture" (văn hóa phong bì) because envelopes are used for more than sending letters, so passé in the digital age, and giving "lucky money" (lì xì) at Lunar New Year. A … Continue reading About Viet Nam’s “gifting culture”
Snowplow Parents: A Global Phenomenon?
Here's a story you don't see every day though there are probably countless more than are reported in professional Facebook groups. Mommy and Daddy know best. These parents are interchangeably referred to as lawnmower or snowplow parents,. Their (dis)service to their children is to remove every obstacle in the latter's path. Think of it as … Continue reading Snowplow Parents: A Global Phenomenon?
“best phd degree for purchase”
This search term and others like it, e.g., p.hd buy, lead unsuspecting netizens to my blog which, of course, doesn't provide information about how to buy academic degrees but rather rants and raves against diploma mills and rogue providers, most of which are based in the US, sorry to say. Speaking of the US, those who … Continue reading “best phd degree for purchase”
“As Sestak scandal draws to close, US government gives up on millions”
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”
“Diplomas, Transcripts & Certificates – Sellin’ Like Hotcakes!” Revisited
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
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!
Accreditation: When It Comes To Higher Education, Nothing Could Be More Relevant – Or Controversial
Good article by Jesse Nickles of CollegeTimes and not just because I'm quoted in it. MAA Accreditation. It’s a word that most college students have heard at some point, but that (unfortunately) very few actually comprehend on a meaningful level. And that is NOT a good thing. With greedy investors and corrupt congressmen aggressively turning … Continue reading Accreditation: When It Comes To Higher Education, Nothing Could Be More Relevant – Or Controversial
Notarization: The Trojan Horse Approach to Gaining Credibility for a Diploma Mill Diploma
No·ta·rize (nō′tə-rīz′): To certify or attest to (the validity of a signature on a document, for example) as a notary public. It’s often what one bureaucracy requires of another to prove that a document is authentic. This is one of the many fee-based services offered by embassies and consulates general in Vietnam. What if the document … Continue reading Notarization: The Trojan Horse Approach to Gaining Credibility for a Diploma Mill Diploma
Sự thật về các chương trình giáo dục Mỹ tại Việt Nam
This article, entitled "The Truth About American Education Programs in Vietnam" (Một Thế Giới, 23 April 2014), reflects the growing sophistication about US higher education as a service sector export. As I am fond of saying, the US exports some of the world's best and worst higher education. The term "officially accredited" covers a broad spectrum … Continue reading Sự thật về các chương trình giáo dục Mỹ tại Việt Nam
An International Educator in Viet Nam 
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