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Henry Mitchell Scholar 2025

HENRY MITCHELL SCHOLAR 2025

Student Exchange Programme Report - Joshua Adams

Masters in Linguistics

University of the Western Cape

Period: October - November, 2023

Majors: Linguistics.

I was given the privilege and opportunity through the Henry Mitchell Scholarship to experience a three-week visit at the 91Ï㽶¶ÌÊÓƵ, where I got to observe and experience some of the university practices with the students and professors at the university. As a linguistic student, it was a wonderful privilege to experience a small but very interesting and informative part of the Linguistics course’s curriculum at the university. I am also thankful towards every team member

part of the Henry Mitchell Scholarship and the 91Ï㽶¶ÌÊÓƵ, as well every professor that engaged and helped me make the most of the experience.

During my time at the university of Missouri, also popularly known as Mizzou, I had the opportunity to experience the undergraduate Linguistic classes. These classes were smaller in size compared to the undergraduate studies at the University of the Western Cape, however, they were just as interactive and engaging. While I was at Mizzou, I had the opportunity to sit in the undergraduate Linguistic classes of Professor Gordon. The classes I attended touched on some of the same topics that I learned during my undergraduate years at UWC but had a greater focus on American context.

I also had the opportunity to spend time with the president and members of the Linguistics club during my stay. Through this connection, I was able to experience and partake in an American University Club. At the University of the Western Cape, I have not gotten the opportunity to experience an academic club run by a student related to Linguistics, also known as LCS (Language and Communication Studies) in undergrad. During my time with the members of the Linguistics club, I also got a brief run through on how the application, modules, electives and credit systems work at Mizzou and other American universities. This showed how different the two education systems are between Mizzou and UWC, with Mizzou and American Tertiary institutions having more requirements for applications.

My favourite experience at the university was Prof Matthew Gordons sociolinguistics lectures on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 12:30 Am to 1:45 PM. Prof Gordons energetic and comedic influence on his lectures made the learning process more engaging for the students who partook in his classes. Many of the sociolinguistic concepts discussed in his classes that were not familiar to me, gave me the interest of reading up on them and learn about the relevant academic material to the sociolinguistic course.

Within my first week at Mizzou, I was able to attend a conference by Albie Sachs, who gave a historical speech touching on the history of Apartheid and his involvement with the abolishment of the apartheid laws. The conference was a wonderful and an educative experience where I got to learn about the history of my country. Thanks to Prof Uphoff, I was able to have the honour of personally meeting the Albie Sachs.

Judge Albie Sachs

Due to my time at the university being only one month, I was unable to fully participate in the activities and classes at the university as a student. However, the short time I had at the university of Mizzou gave me the opportunity to talk about my research with the professors of Mizzou, namely, Prof Gordon (a Sociolinguistics Professor), Prof Rebecca Grollemund (a Historical Linguistics Professor) and Prof Michael Marlo who often visits UWC. During my time with the professors, I was able to explain my research to them and talk about the differences between my home university and that of Mizzou.

Although my research topic was not within the research expertise of the three professors, they were able to get the jest of what I aim to achieve with my research in social media.

Apart from my time with the University staff and formal interactions with the professors of Mizzou, I was able to spend time around the campus in Columbia, and even have dinner with Prof Grollemund, Prof Gordon and the president of the linguistics club. One of my favourite locations to visit was the Hokkaido Ramen and Sushi Bar restaurant, which is a Japanese restaurant in Downtown on Broad Way Road. Additionally, I occasionally visited the comic bookstore called Distant Planet Comics & collectibles to marvel at the books they had in store. Interestingly, I also had the privilege of experiencing an American Halloween. Learning about the customs within American restaurants and stores, as well as to witness how university students in the U.S celebrate Halloween.

In conclusion, I would like to usher a special thank you to Ms Lauren Aresnde at UWC for assisting me with the passport and Visa process. I also would like to send a special thank you to Prof Uphoff and the Henry Mitchells scholarship, as well as Prof Gordon for assisting and guiding me during my time at Mizzou. I would like to thank every peer, friend and family member for being with me throughout my time at Mizzou.

For future exchanges, I would suggest, two students to attend at similar/same date. This will help either student with settling in process. I was lucky to meet another student from UWC.

Moreover, I would suggest a long visit time where students can incorporate themselves even better into the program and with the students of Mizzou. I believe that the Henry Mitchell Scholarship will continue to enhance the academic experience of their scholars and those whowere privileged to have the opportunity to be involvement part take in the academic ventures at the University of Mizzou from UWC.

Thank you for following along on my journey at the 91Ï㽶¶ÌÊÓƵ-Columbia. Henry Mitchell Scholar 2025

Joshua Adams.