viet nam

Fewer US Student Visas Issued in Viet Nam in FY18

Mark A. Ashwill Updates , , , , ,

In the 2018 fiscal year, ending on 30 September 2018, US student (F-1) visas issued to Vietnamese students declined by 971, or 5.7%, over the previous year.  Below are the monthly stats starting in October 2017.   October 2017:  275 November 2017:  364 December 2017:  1299 January 2018:  1165 February 2018:  207 March 2018:  207 April … Continue reading Fewer US Student Visas Issued in Viet Nam in FY18

Latest IIE Open Doors Data Reveal Shift in Vietnamese Major Preferences in the US

Mark A. Ashwill Updates , , , , ,

Below is a list of majors - in descending order - that Vietnamese students chose in the 2017/18 academic year.  Interestingly, there was a decrease in the percentage studying business/management, down from 30.9% the previous year.  This reflects growing interest in non-business majors and perhaps, quite possibly, the dawning realization that one doesn't need to … Continue reading Latest IIE Open Doors Data Reveal Shift in Vietnamese Major Preferences in the US

Financial Aid for Vietnamese Students?

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

If your institution awards financial aid to Vietnamese students, I hope your approach is of the "trust but verify" variety.  Not all parents and students are honest, and Viet Nam is no exception.  Many people of means are happy to game the system and accept financial aid, if they can get it. I remember a … Continue reading Financial Aid for Vietnamese Students?

Vietnam Hangs Out the Welcome Sign for International Schools

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

The Vietnamese government is keen on attracting more FDI and expanding educational opportunities for its young people. Decree 86 covers both bases. In the spirit of giving credit where credit’s due, it is an example of good governance, a smart and timely decision that will pay off in the long-term for both individuals and society. … Continue reading Vietnam Hangs Out the Welcome Sign for International Schools

#YouAreWelcomeWhere? A Call to Action

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

This is a post I wrote for The World View, a Boston College Center for International Higher Education blog hosted by Inside Higher Ed (IHE).  It is as much a wake-up call as it is a call to action.     One of my main points, which obviously went over the heads of some readers who commented, … Continue reading #YouAreWelcomeWhere? A Call to Action

“The story of Viet Nam’s economic miracle”

Mark A. Ashwill Articles , , , , , ,

Walking around in Ha Noi, Viet Nam’s capital, you can feel boundless energy everywhere. People whiz by on scooters, buy and sell everything from phones to food in the countless small shops, and run to and fro to get to school or work. Viet Nam is young, growing, and anything feels possible. It wasn’t always … Continue reading “The story of Viet Nam’s economic miracle”

Decree 86 Is Good News for Vietnamese Parents & Investors

Mark A. Ashwill Announcement, Updates , , , , ,

New Decree No. 86/2018/ND-CP implementing the Law on Education Here is the unabridged version of an interview about Decree 86 that I did with Anton Crace, Reporter - Australasia for The PIE News (Vietnam increases domestic participation in international schools).   My answers are in navy blue.  The decree took effect on 1 August 2018.   I saw Decree 86 increasing … Continue reading Decree 86 Is Good News for Vietnamese Parents & Investors

Happy 9th Birthday, Capstone Vietnam!

Mark A. Ashwill Announcement , , , , , , , , , , ,

This week, Capstone Vietnam, a full-service educational consulting company that I co-founded in 2009 and of which I am managing director, celebrated its 9th birthday.  It has been a helluva ride, one I've found to be deeply rewarding on many levels.  As I mentioned to a colleague the other day, the best situation is when … Continue reading Happy 9th Birthday, Capstone Vietnam!