patriotism

Patriotism: The tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime

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Reposting from two years ago on the occasion of Viet Nam's National Day (Ngày Quốc Khánh). Lòng yêu nước (1.9.19, VNExpress) "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost (1874-1963). During my first trip to Vietnam in January 1996 … Continue reading Patriotism: The tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime

Balancing Solidarity & Individualism in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond: a View from Vietnam

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Image courtesy of Zing By contrast, Vietnam is well-positioned with a younger generation that is more individualistic than that of its parents because of their country’s integration into the global community, the Internet, and the fact that they are growing up in a time of peace with no (physical) external enemies, yet still possesses a … Continue reading Balancing Solidarity & Individualism in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond: a View from Vietnam

Patriotism: The tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime/Lòng yêu nước

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In honor of Viet Nam's National Day on 2 September here's an article of mine that appeared in English and Vietnamese last year in VNExpress International and VNExpress. Patriotism: The tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime (2.9.19) Lòng yêu nước (1.9.19) Source: Nhân Dân 75 years ago today in Hanoi's Ba Đình Square Ho … Continue reading Patriotism: The tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime/Lòng yêu nước

“Why constructive criticism of the US is not anti-American”

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Here's my latest University World News essay from 18 January 2020. (NOTE: Editor's title.) The original working title was Nationalism Rears Its Ugly Head in the Tumultuous World of US International Education, which is descriptive but too long. 🙂 If the title or introduction below whets your appetite for more, follow this link Closeup of … Continue reading “Why constructive criticism of the US is not anti-American”

Whose Bread I Eat, His Song I Sing: An International Education Nonprofit and a Devil’s Bargain

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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

Patriotism: “The tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime”

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Vietnam’s National Day is a fitting time to take stock of what this country and its people have accomplished but also to think about what each and every citizen can do to meet unmet needs and challenges and make Vietnam an even better place to live, including environmental awareness and action, heightened civility on the … Continue reading Patriotism: “The tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime”

The Metamorphosis of International Students Into Honorary US Nationalists: a View from Viet Nam

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Follow this link to read my latest article, which is about a phenomenon I've observed over the years, namely, how some young Vietnamese who study in the USA become what I refer to as honorary US nationalists.  (If you're not sure what nationalism means, have a look at this 2016 essay.  Hint:  It's quite different … Continue reading The Metamorphosis of International Students Into Honorary US Nationalists: a View from Viet Nam

The College of the Ozarks Patriotic Education Travel Program to Viet Nam: A Vietnam-Era Veteran Responds

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I received a number of comments in response to my recent article entitled A “Patriotic” Education Study Abroad Program in Viet Nam: God Bless America, Right or Wrong!, mostly from US veterans of the war in Viet Nam, or "Vietnam-era" veterans.  One who falls into the latter category decided to take it one step further … Continue reading The College of the Ozarks Patriotic Education Travel Program to Viet Nam: A Vietnam-Era Veteran Responds

A “Patriotic” Education Study Abroad Program in Viet Nam: God Bless America, Right or Wrong!

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This is an essay I felt compelled to write about a US American study abroad program to Viet Nam that reinforces and indeed celebrates US nationalism.  It is a textbook example of how not to structure such a program.  The country of Viet Nam is but a sideshow, a prop that enables students and veterans to … Continue reading A “Patriotic” Education Study Abroad Program in Viet Nam: God Bless America, Right or Wrong!