overseas study

Q: How to Choose an Education Agent? A: Use Your Best Judgement

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , ,

And Don't Forget the Tried-and-True Carrot & Stick Approach Colleagues sometimes ask me to recommend education agents in Viet Nam. While I'd like to be able to help them in this regard, I can't.  The simple reason is that this is such a problematic (read shady) and unregulated sector.  There is no one (or one … Continue reading Q: How to Choose an Education Agent? A: Use Your Best Judgement

Direct Applications on the Rise

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , , , , , ,

While Viet Nam is still primarily an agent-driven market, growing numbers of students are beginning to bypass education agents and apply directly to educational institutions, especially for certain types of institutions and programs with simpler application procedures.  In some cases, more than 50% of all apps are directly from students. The reasons for this recent … Continue reading Direct Applications on the Rise

New Website: Recruit in Viet Nam

Mark A. Ashwill Announcement , , , , ,

Below is an announcement about a new website created by Capstone Vietnam, a full-service educational consulting company of which I'm managing director. Peace, MAA This website is intended to serve as a one-stop resource for student recruitment in Viet Nam for colleagues from all over the world.  It was inspired by a session that Dr. … Continue reading New Website: Recruit in Viet Nam

An Ode to International Student Recruiters

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , ,

One of the privileges and pleasures of my work is watching colleagues connect with young Vietnamese who are interested in overseas study, be it at a fair, coffee talk, info session, or individual meeting at a hotel.  Traveling to Viet Nam and other sending countries is still one of the most effective ways to recruit … Continue reading An Ode to International Student Recruiters

Live from Viet Nam – An E20 Webinar!

Mark A. Ashwill Updates , , , ,

Last week, I had the opportunity to present on one of my favorite topics, Viet Nam, to a virtual audience of over 40 US colleagues, including those from higher and secondary education.   I'm grateful to Syed Jamal from Branta and Renait Stephens from Study in the USA, event co-sponsor, for inviting me and for … Continue reading Live from Viet Nam – An E20 Webinar!

“International Students Contribute to Our Economy & American Innovation”

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary , , ,

This image, created by NAFSA:  Association of International Educators, a "non-profit professional organization for professionals in all areas of international education including education abroad advising and administration," was recently posted on Facebook by a US higher education colleague.  All compelling points with which I agree 100%.  In fact, they could create another graphic that lists … Continue reading “International Students Contribute to Our Economy & American Innovation”

Viet Nam’s GDP & Study in the USA

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Updates , , ,

Here are some graphs that I use in presentations to graphically illustrate Viet Nam's meteoric economic rise in the past decade and then some.  The take-off phase began with my arrival in 2005, a mere coincidence, and perhaps an example of a word I often associate with Viet Nam, serendipity.  The icing on the cake … Continue reading Viet Nam’s GDP & Study in the USA

Viet Nam Ranks Among Top 10 Foreign Residential Property Buyers in the US

Mark A. Ashwill Commentary, Updates , , , ,

Yes, I know this is old news from the summer of 2017 but it's related to some other recent posts and perhaps not so old for some of you with an interest in these issues and trends.  It's also related to one of my favorite topics, young Vietnamese studying in the USA.  According to the 2017 … Continue reading Viet Nam Ranks Among Top 10 Foreign Residential Property Buyers in the US

“To many Vietnamese, US still a top overseas study destination in spite of Donald Trump”

Mark A. Ashwill Articles, Commentary , , ,

Check out the facts and figures on why so many students are heading state-side. This is my latest English language article, written at the request of VNExpress International. I think it provides a pretty comprehensive update about the current situation for those with a personal and/or professional interest in the status of US-bound Vietnamese students.  … Continue reading “To many Vietnamese, US still a top overseas study destination in spite of Donald Trump”