About BSA

BSA Minority Study Abroad Programs focuses on study abroad opportunities for underrepresented American high school, undergraduate and graduate students. Our program participants come from a wide range of academic disciplines. Our mission is to increase the number of minority students studying overseas and to ensure students have a successful and rewarding experience abroad by providing unique emotional support and counseling, helping students acquire the target language and learn about the history and culture of the host country via area studies courses, cultural excursions and practical international work experience as well as helping our students navigate and appreciate the host culture with the help of other minorities who are already living the experience.

Diversity in study and intern abroad is very important to the members on our staff. Creating opportunities to nurture and support the participation of minority groups in overseas study is paramount to our mission. Our current staff has a combined 20 years of experience living, working and studying abroad in East Asia.

If you have any questions or comments about our organization and program feel free to contact us. 

Advisory Board

Dr. James T. Gillam (Chair)
Associate Professor, Asian History
History Department
Spelman College

Dr. Vera Leigh Fennell,
Professor
Political Science Department
Lehigh University

Robert M. Brown II, Esq.
Administrator
United Nations - Food and Agricultural Organization

Harold Watkins
Director, Field Management Development
AVON, Inc.

Terri Batch
Founder and Managing Director
New Horizons Chinese

Marketus Presswood, MS
Founder and Executive Director
BSA Minority Study Abroad Programs

BSA TEAM

, Founder and Executive Director of BSA Minority Study Abroad Programs has lived in Asia for ten years--8 years in Beijing and two years in Tokyo and Hiroshima. He first studied in China as a undergraduate in 1997 and went on to graduate from Morehouse College with a degree in History. “Living Abroad has changed my life and worldview in so many tangible and untangible ways...I want to help as many young people of color experience the same thing...to become world citizens and global leaders!” In his spare time he loves watching “foreign” movies, listening to jazz, traveling, and learning new languages. Marketus is proficient in Mandarin Chinese and speaks basic Japanese. He earned his M.S. in International Public Service Management at DePaul University. He divides his time between China and the U.S.

, is the Program Manager for BSA Minority Study Abroad Programs in China. She has worked for a foreign government-run organization in Beijing for nine years. She handles BSA’s daily operations in Beijing. She is also the liasion between the University and other local contacts.  Joanna likes to travel and has lived in Europe for a year as well as traveled to The U.S., Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea.  Joanna is proficient in English and is also studying French. She is also working on certification to teach Mandarin Chinese to foreigners.

is the Student Advisor for BSA Minority Study Abroad Programs. A graduate of Morehouse College with a degree in International Relations. Shaan has lived in Beijing for the past eight years. If you need to know where to go or how to get something in Beijing, Shaan is the expert! He has seen and been through it all, when you need an ear and some useful advice to help you through ‘bad Beijing’ days Shaan is our ‘China Sage.’ He has traveled extensively throughout China and has a wealth of knowledge about living there, Beijing in particular. Shaan is also proficient in Mandarin.

is the U.S. Program Coordinator for BSA. Mary Ann received her degree from Loyola University in Business Administration. She handles the day to day operations in the States. Mary Ann has traveled extensively through Western Europe and Australia. It is her love of travel that led her to us to assist students in furthering their education and future careers
by studying abroad.

is the Japan Program Coordinator. She earned her degree in Biology from Clark Atlanta University. She taught English in Japan on the Japanese Government’s JET Program.  In Japan, her passion for teaching English as a Foreign Language was ignited as well as her love for the Japanese language and culture. In addition to her duties with BSA, Ms. MaNais is currently earning her master’s degree in Instructional Technology at University of West Georgia-she expects to receive her M.Ed in the summer of 2011.  Zena speaks Japanese and enjoys designing lesson plans for English language learners.  She has traveled extensively throughout Japan.

BSA Minority Study Abroad Programs
10845 Carrara Cove
Alpharetta, GA 30022
Toll Free: 1-866-461-4912
Fax: 770-667-9597
E-mail:

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