Life is full of trade-offs, some of which involve fatally flawed moral compromises and hefty doses of personal and institutional soul-selling. -MAA This image taken from CCTV video shows Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018. (Hurriyet via AP) MAA: Khashoggi's last few minutes of life. His fiancée, Hatice … Continue reading Another Deal with the Devil, International Education-Style
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A Call for Universal Empathy: We Are “The Other”
Here's my latest essay for University World News. Below is an unedited version, including quotes that do not appear in the published version. Image: iStock While I was deeply gratified and moved to see the outpouring of support for Ukraine and its people on various social media channels in response to the Russian invasion, I … Continue reading A Call for Universal Empathy: We Are “The Other”
Russian Invasion of Ukraine Elicits Selective Outrage & Sympathy
While I'm gratified to see the outpouring of support for Ukraine and its people on various social media channels, I realize how selective it is knowing that the US government and military have done the exact same thing. In a sense, Russia is taking a bloody page out of the US foreign policy playbook, which … Continue reading Russian Invasion of Ukraine Elicits Selective Outrage & Sympathy
Vietnamese Student Enrollment in the US Drops by 9% in 2020/21
The US experienced a dramatic but not unexpected decline of 15% in its 2020/21 international student population bringing the total to under 1 million. The primary reason cited is the COVID-19 pandemic. Another important reason is the Trump administration. IIE probably didn't introduce this rather large (orange) elephant in the room because Open Doors (OD) … Continue reading Vietnamese Student Enrollment in the US Drops by 9% in 2020/21
“‘Lady Gaga of Vietnam’ finds a home in Pittsburgh”
Image from Mai Khoi's Facebook Page This article, which appeared in one of my Viet Nam-related Google Alerts, jumped off my screen. It was bittersweet news, a loss for Viet Nam and a gain for the USA. As an artist, Mai Khoi will have to find new sources of inspiration and material. I have no … Continue reading “‘Lady Gaga of Vietnam’ finds a home in Pittsburgh”
Is Cost Really the Key Factor in the Decline of New Int’l Enrollments in the US?
After the latest Open Doors report was released, Allan E. Goodman, president & CEO of the Institute of International Education (IIE), did his level best to spin the statistics by pointing to cost as the overriding factor in the decline of new international enrollments rather than the impact of the Trump Effect. While the total … Continue reading Is Cost Really the Key Factor in the Decline of New Int’l Enrollments in the US?
Whose Bread I Eat, His Song I Sing: An International Education Nonprofit and a Devil’s Bargain
2019 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of International Education (IIE), a well-known US-based private nonprofit that focuses on international student exchange and aid, foreign affairs, and international peace and security. IIE refers to itself as “a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas.” While IIE has numerous … Continue reading Whose Bread I Eat, His Song I Sing: An International Education Nonprofit and a Devil’s Bargain
“International education ‘number one priority’ for US bureau”
At the February IIE Summit 2019, Marie Royce, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), US State Department, told her audience that international education is the #1 priority for ECA. Her deputy, Caroline Casagrande, confirmed that “additional resources” have been obtained to promote outbound and inbound study abroad. What "additional resources," I wonder? In terms of … Continue reading “International education ‘number one priority’ for US bureau”
An International Educator in Viet Nam 
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