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?

Nearly 21,000 Vietnamese Students in the U.S.!

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) came online in 2003 to track and monitor the status and activities of nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors who enter the U.S.  This web-based system collects real-time information on these two groups, plus approved schools and program sponsors. SEVIS by the Numbers (PDF download ) is a statistical … Continue reading Nearly 21,000 Vietnamese Students in the U.S.!

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

2014 VietAbroader Summer Study Abroad Conferences

Below is a note I sent to US higher education colleagues about the summer VietAbroader Study Abroad Conferences. MAA I'm pleased to announce that the 2014 VietAbroader Conferences - Passing of the Torch will be held on Saturday, July 19th in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Sunday, July 20th in Hanoi.  Follow this link … Continue reading 2014 VietAbroader Summer Study Abroad Conferences

Creating and Maintaining Productive and Effective Partnerships

This was my first presentation in absentia.  I was scheduled to present at the 2014 CCID Conference in late February about Creating and Maintaining Productive and Effective Partnerships for community colleges, along with my distinguished colleagues, but wasn't able to attend.  Below is the abstract and list of presenters.  Follow this link to download a … Continue reading Creating and Maintaining Productive and Effective Partnerships

Five-Minute Glass: What Our Government Sees When It Looks Out the Window

Below is an excerpt from a recent article written by Daniel H. Garrett, a former US Department of State foreign service officer and currently a senior associate at The Asia Institute.  I am posting it because it offers an insider's view of the work of US consular officers, including student visas.   In addition to … Continue reading Five-Minute Glass: What Our Government Sees When It Looks Out the Window

The New College Guide: How to Get In, Get Out, and Get a Job – 100 Questions to Ask About College

How to Get In, Get Out, and Get a Job - 100 Questions to Ask About  College - by Marguerite J. Dennis, who has been recruiting internationally for over 25 years, first at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. then at Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts.  (Follow this link to read her bio on the MJDennis … Continue reading The New College Guide: How to Get In, Get Out, and Get a Job – 100 Questions to Ask About College

Ingroup, Outgroup, or Caught In Between?

My last post of the 2013 Lunar Year... Vietnam is a highly homogeneous society.  I'm reminded of this whenever I look in the mirror and see a white guy staring back at me.  For those who are not Kinh, or ethnic Vietnamese,  it's pretty cut-and-dried.  We look different and therefore are different. There is a … Continue reading Ingroup, Outgroup, or Caught In Between?

Vietnam: Fastest Growing Facebook Market in the World

The number of Facebook (FB) users has doubled over the past year to over 22 million, which amounts to 61% of all netizens in Vietnam.  As one post pointed out, "Global brands are definitely eyeing the Vietnamese Facebook market."  The implications for student recruitment are also obvious.  If you want to reach out to young people, you need … Continue reading Vietnam: Fastest Growing Facebook Market in the World

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