The Opportunities & Limits of Responsible Environmental Citizenship

Source: International Criminal Court Bar Association (ICCBA) I do my best to be a responsible environmental citizen but I'm also an unwilling participant in a system that must change from below and above. On the bright side, this includes: Not littering Gently admonishing people for littering Picking up other people's trash Using my own cloth bag whenever … Continue reading The Opportunities & Limits of Responsible Environmental Citizenship

Mark Ashwill to Lead 7th Annual Vietnam Recruitment Seminar at NAFSA 2024

And now, a word from my employer… 😀 🇻🇳 Capstone Education/Recruit in Viet Nam is pleased to announce that Dr. Mark Ashwill, managing director and co-founder, will speak at an unofficial, pre-conference Vietnam student recruitment seminar from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 27, 2024, at the University of New Orleans. The Vietnam Recruitment Seminar consists of a comprehensive overview … Continue reading Mark Ashwill to Lead 7th Annual Vietnam Recruitment Seminar at NAFSA 2024

Top 10 Overseas Study Destinations for Young Vietnamese

Spring 2024 Update Source: Chào Hanoi These countries host over 90% of all Vietnamese studying abroad, 58% of whom are close to home in East Asia. The US is currently the leading English-speaking destination, a place it frequently trades with Australia. I occasionally see reports with outdated statistics in the Vietnamese and English language media. For … Continue reading Top 10 Overseas Study Destinations for Young Vietnamese

Study in the USA: The Post-Pandemic Recovery Continues

Screenshot Last month, there were 26,919 Vietnamese students in the US, mostly in higher education, according to the SEVIS Data Mapping Tool. Here's the breakdown in descending numerical order: Four-year colleges and universities: 13,345 (49.5%) Community colleges: 3,630 (13.5%) Master's: 3,238 (12%) Secondary: 2,408 (8.9%) Ph.D.: 2,083 (7.7%) Language Training: 1,383 (5.1%) Other: 689 (2.6%) … Continue reading Study in the USA: The Post-Pandemic Recovery Continues

Drumming Up Business or Spitting in the Wind?

Photo by MAA This is a common sight at restaurants in Vietnam, especially outside of the city, which I've always found amusing. The guy in corporate orange is trying to wave people over to eat at his employer's phở restaurant. This sales tactic must be successful - never. 😀 Ladies selling guava on the side … Continue reading Drumming Up Business or Spitting in the Wind?

Guest Post: “Erasing Palestine” 

This is a guest post by Mike Hastie, a veteran of the US war in Vietnam whose tagline is "I was born in America, but my heart is Vietnamese." Erasing Human Rights Erasing Human Beings Erasing Hospitals Erasing Medical Supplies Erasing Oxygen Erasing Doctors and Nurses Erasing Ambulances Erasing Food and Water Erasing Electricity Erasing … Continue reading Guest Post: “Erasing Palestine” 

Alcohol as a Social Lubricant & Form of Bonding

WAVEBREAK MEDIA/THINKSTOCK A Case of "When in Vietnam, Don't Do as Vietnamese Men Do" I've never been a big drinker even in my younger days. I never acquired a taste for hard liquor but will occasionally drink expensive vodka or Scotch in small amounts, especially when it magically appears in the form of a gift. … Continue reading Alcohol as a Social Lubricant & Form of Bonding

In Memory of John Pilger (1939-2023)

A quote that appears on John Pilger's website. I was saddened to learn of the passing of John Pilger, whom I have followed for years. Noam Chomsky described him this way: "John Pilger's work has been a beacon of light in often dark times. The realities he has brought to light have been a revelation, … Continue reading In Memory of John Pilger (1939-2023)

Season’s Greetings from Vietnam!

For your reading pleasure, here's the English version of a December 2021 article I wrote about Christmas as the kickoff to a long holiday season that culminates in Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration: Christmas in Vietnam: bookending a long festival season. Even though most Vietnamese identify as Buddhists, Christmas has become a popular secular holiday in recent years, which is why … Continue reading Season’s Greetings from Vietnam!