AIFS Partnership Programs: Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

Faculty Bios

Justin Smith
jsmith3@santarosa.edu
Santa Rosa Junior College

Justin Smith is a working theatre professional. He was born and raised in Texas and loves to travel, having driven to and through forty of the lower 48 states, and a couple of countries.  He earned his BA in Theatre from Southwestern University and his MFA in Drama from University of Virginia. He has worked at Trinity Repertory in Providence, Rhode Island, the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, ZACH Theatre in Austin Texas, Southwestern University as a department Technical Director, and here at the Santa Rosa Junior College as a professor, production manager in the department and Summer Repertory Theatre.  Educating and working with you students in becoming the next generation of Theatre professionals makes his day. 

Teaching theatre in London is a true gift for me and for my students with the birthplace of Shakespeare and the home of the West End, England’s equivalent of Broadway.  The British culture is rich in writing and performance and provides a unique backdrop for studying professional theater and storytelling.  Additionally, the fact that we get to live in this culture will give us vital and new perspectives to shape us as storytellers.  The opportunity to teach in this city is a dream come true.  I hope you will join me on this wild ride of culture and fun.

 

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John Corbally
jcorbally@dvc.edu
Contra Costa Community College District

Prof. Corbally moved to the US alone the week he turned 18, having left high school at 15 in working class Birmingham, England. After laboring on construction sites for five years, he spent a decade as a sales and marketing manager, coordinating logistics for international supply chains. Wishing to teach following the events of 9/11, he completed a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. in history within 9 years. He now spends most of his time teaching, while also writing or working to improve his pedagogy. His professional focus is on helping less-privileged students get to college, finish their bachelors, to relish in the life of a mindful, educated adult, and thrive thereafter.

Prof. Corbally recently authored/co-authored a three-volume World History series for Bloomsbury Academic (from 1490-1750, 1750-1914, and 1914-present), and a new book on migrant family histories to California. He plays soccer, piano and guitar, and is injured periodically in all three. 😊 He has a daughter in college and a son at home and loves going to concerts with both.

 

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Trang Abeid
abeidt@crc.losrios.edu
Los Rios Community College District

When Professor Trang Abeid earned her TESOL (Teaching English to speakers of other languages) certification, she was ready to teach English as a second language in Korea, Japan, and China. Although this dream has yet to become reality, her passion to see the world, meet new friends, and experience different cultures inspires her to explore places she’s always dreamed about.

Her love for travel started many moons ago when she studied abroad in Vietnam for a full semester. That experience fortified her desire to be a world traveler. Since then, she has been to Paris and London and can’t wait to revisit cities where the past and present merge in matrimony. She has had training in cross-cultural communications, intercultural communications, and culture shock. Professor Abeid has taught classes in English, Reading, and ESL at all levels and on multiple campuses such as Sierra College, Folsom Lake College, UC Davis, Sacramento State University, and San Joaquin Delta College until finding her home at Cosumnes River College. At CRC she teaches an array of courses including Freshman Composition, Composition and Literature, Basic College Writing, Accelerated College Writing, and Asian American Literature.

Returning to London has been a decade in the making, and she encourages students to take a leap into the unknown. Once a community college student herself, she never thought studying abroad was possible, and made the decision to go anyways. This life-changing experience has opened countless opportunities and expanded her horizons. She and her students will visit sites featured in the texts they study and go to places associated with the authors, poets, and playwrights they will survey. Her courses are also ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost), allowing more student resources to be devoted to the abroad experience. Come and join her for an opportunity of a lifetime in London!

 

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Candice Nance
nancec@smccd.edu
San Mateo County Community College District

Hi everyone! I’m Dr. Candice Nance, and I’m thrilled to join you on your study abroad journey. I’ve lived and worked all over the world - including London, Cambridge, and Bangkok - and I’ve guided college students on international programs to China. My own study abroad experience began as a community college student, when I studied at Cambridge University in England, followed by a full year in London and Bangkok. Travel, cultural exchange, and student success are at the heart of everything I do.

I’ve since returned to London numerous times to visit friends and have the insider scoop on all the great activities and sights to see while you are in Europe. London is my favorite big city in the world and is a gateway to cities all over Europe.

Here in California, I’ve spent over fifteen years teaching and developing programs in business, marketing, management, and aviation. I’ve also taught at San José State University in the College of Business and the Aviation and Technology department. I hold an Associate of Science degree in Business, a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, an MBA in International Business, and a Doctorate in Education.

Outside the classroom, I’m a private pilot, a Camino de Santiago hiker (500 miles in 40 days in Spain!), and a proud motorcyclist who has explored both London and Cambridge on two wheels.

At my core, I’m student-centered, collaborative, and passionate about creating experiences that connect learning to the real world. I believe education should spark curiosity, foster belonging, and open doors to global opportunities. So buckle up - we’re about to embark on an unforgettable adventure together!