Avery Bellamy

Linguistics, UW to University of British Columbia, 2022-2023 Corbett Recipient
Avery Bellamy smiles at the camera. They wear a dark blue shirt with a pride rainbow on it.

About

My name is Avery Bellamy (they/them) and I am currently a sophomore studying Linguistics at the University of Washington. I grew up in Duvall, which is just outside of Seattle, and have lived in Washington state for my entire life. I have been to Vancouver a couple times but never for long enough to truly experience the similarities and differences between Washington and British Columbia. As a linguist, I am excited for the opportunity to observe the differences between Canadian and American English, such as differences that may be the result of other prominent languages in each country (for example, French has a large place in Canadian culture, while it is uncommonly spoken in the U.S.). In addition, I hope to learn more about the Indigenous languages of the Pacific Northwest and to experience UBC’s approach to teaching about this as compared to the UW’s. UBC, for one, offers multiple classes on endangered language documentation and revitalization, classes which the UW rarely offers. This is exciting for me since I am very passionate about languages and believe that even the smallest languages need to be preserved and studied, since they are the gateway into identity and culture. The fact that so many languages, especially Native languages, have become extinct is absolutely heartbreaking to me.  I am happy that UBC offers courses that may help prevent more of them from dying out in the future and I am excited to meet people who might come from different backgrounds from myself but who hold the same passion for language as I do. I am extremely thankful to the Corbett Exchange Program for giving me this opportunity.

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The Corbett British Columbia-Washington International Exchange Program Fund provides an opportunity for undergraduate students at the University of Washington to spend two semesters at the University of British Columbia or University of Victoria; and for students from the University of British Columbia and University of Victoria to spend three quarters at the University of Washington.