What inspired you to work for Santa Barbara City College?
I was drawn to the History Department at Santa Barbara City College because of the excellence of its faculty as well as the college more generally. Santa Barbara City College is a unique institution. As such, it is one of the few community colleges to direct study abroad programs for its students. This was a major factor in attracting me to the school.
Describe a typical day at work.
Currently I teach a mix of online and face-to-face classes, so my days can vary quite a bit. But I enjoy being on campus the most. The atmosphere created by both the students and my colleagues is inspiring. I typically teach in the first half of the day before meeting with students and attending to other aspects of my work online.
Farewell dinner at the end of the Florence program in 2016.
Why do you do what you do?
I enjoy inspiring others to learn more about our world and what it means to live here. My job, of course, inspires me to do the same. I am furthermore personally enriched by the people with whom I work. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by excellent colleagues my entire career. The professional opportunities provided by Santa Barbara City College are also extensive.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Without question, it is the entire process or preparing for and directing study abroad programs. These are often life-changing experiences for students, and they make it possible to teach in exotic locations that make history come alive. By the time these programs end, a lasting solidarity among the group has formed based on our unique and shared time together.
Students in Rome in 2021
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
I was very fortunate in that I was able to first participate in an abroad program while in high school. That was quite some time ago now, but before then I would have advised myself to be mindful of the opportunity costs attached to everything we do or do not do in life. While virtually any significant time abroad will be rewarding, studying abroad as a young person is particularly meaningful.
Why should someone choose Santa Barbara City College over competitors?
Santa Barbara City College is an elite institution that provides its students with opportunities not always seen at other community colleges. One of these is the chance to study abroad for a semester. Our faculty and staff give applicants (and would-be applicants) support throughout the entire process. This includes advice and direction about the significant financial aid available for study abroad. Our school wants to ensure all students can take advantage of our programs.
Students at a tea ceremony in Kyoto in 2025
What is Santa Barbara City College's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
"Santa Barbara City College welcomes all students. The College provides a diverse learning environment and opportunities for students to enrich their lives, advance their careers, complete certificates, earn associate degrees, and transfer to four-year institutions. The College is committed to fostering an equitable, inclusive, respectful, participatory, and supportive community dedicated to the success of every student."
More generally, I contribute to this mission by working with administrators, colleagues, and students to offer a range of classes in a range of different formats. Like the rest of the History Department, I frequently take advantage of professional development opportunities to ensure my teaching is as effective as possible for all of our students. I also engage in service to the school outside of my department in ways that directly impact our students. Directing study abroad programs is my favorite example of this.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
My hope is that students gain a more international perspective of the world and their place in it. I would like my students to evolve in their appreciation of the host country and even develop a life-long passion for it. Having lived outside of the United States for several months, I hope program participants develop a greater sense of independence and confidence. I also wish for the students that they create memories that connect them to others in the program, and that they will cherish those memories for the rest of their lives.
Student amused by a deer at Miyajima in 2025
If you could participate in one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
I would go to the place farthest removed from my own experiences. I very much enjoy learning directly about countries and cultures with which I am unfamiliar. Having participated in and having directed programs to Europe and the Far East, I would likely consider an African or Latin American country.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Traveling abroad and experiencing new cultures in a key part of gaining a more sophisticated appreciation of the larger world in which we live as well as our own country. It promotes greater sympathy and understanding for people in circumstances different than our own. It also creates experiences and memories that enrich the rest of one's life.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
For me, meaningful travel includes visiting a range sites that are representative of or important to the culture and history of the country in question. Ideally, this includes everyday experiences such as going to the market or attending a local event. It is also special to learn even just a few words and phrases and so communicate directly in the relevant foreign language. It is amazing how far even a little goes. Study abroad programs, of course, make all of this much easier to accomplish.
What qualities in program & host community relations are essential to you? (And your organization?)
In my opinion it is especially important that both the program and the host work together in order to best address unexpected challenges or problems. Decisions made with collective input and based on a range of experiences can make complicated situations so much easier to address. Flexibility is also critical since arrangements that seem wise before departure sometimes seem less so after arrival.
