Mbuba uses Fulbright experience in Zimbabwe to energize education

Though he grew up in Kenya, Jospeter Mbuba has lived in America for 24 years and calls himself an American in every respect. His favorite meal is a hamburger, especially with french fries.

But the Purdue University Fort Wayne professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Public Administration recently returned from a transformative six-month experience in Zimbabwe, where he served as a Fulbright Scholar at Africa University. Mbuba wrote an undergrad and master’s curriculum in criminal justice, the country’s first such university program.

Although he had to contend with frequent power outages that often knocked out the internet—and air conditioning—unreliable tap water, and limited means of transportation, Mbuba loved his time in Zimbabwe.

“I delved into the heart of Zimbabwean culture, learning a lot about their way of life,” said Mbuba, who resumed his PFW duties in April. “Yet, there were moments when I would miss out on occasional bursts of laughter when jokes were exchanged in the melodious tones of the local language, Shona. But even then, the sheer warmth and hospitality of the locals made me feel right at home.”

Mbuba interacted with people he described as being friendly, trusting, and enamored with this man who looked like them but didn’t speak their language. Luckily, most at the university spoke English.

“That time is implanted on my mind forever,” Mbuba said. “If I got another chance, I would go there without blinking. I didn’t waste a single minute of the program.”

Electricity was so spotty that, Mbuba said, he worked whenever it was active, never quite knowing when the next outage might come. Times when the lights stayed on could last anywhere between a few hours to a few days.

Just as when PFW students spend time studying overseas, the university hopes faculty also come back with expanded views, new ideas, and renewed energy to share in the classroom.

“Fulbright Teaching Fellowships benefit our faculty by not only developing their practice of teaching, but by providing unique opportunity for scholars to share and leverage expertise with other experts internationally,” said Connie Kracher, PFW’s director of university research and innovation in the Office of Academic Affairs. “We are proud of our faculty scholars as they engage in high-impact teaching and other academic activities, while also growing from the social and cultural experiences they’re able to share when they return.”

Saying he was always walking in the footsteps of PFW, Mbuba made a point of wearing school clothing, pins, and other branded materials, answering whenever asked what it stood for. He also brought back vital experiences he can’t wait to share in his classes.

“When I teach, experiences I get from conferences that I attend, meetings I attend, all of these experiences, I bring them to my students,” Mbuba said. “I want to help them to see the world outside the classroom and outside what they are familiar with. Here, I went to a place where electricity is not taken for granted. That can form a good discussion. I share all that with my students. This gave me a different perception of the world.”

During his down time, Mbuba toured a few places including the world-famous Victoria Falls on River Zambezi and the Great Zimbabwe, which are the remains of the castle of an ancient king of the Mwenemutapa Empire. Mbuba also visited a few villages, some area schools, as well as the expansive Tongogara Refugee Camp, where he inspired students to follow the path he is setting, gain their education, and travel the world.

“Their eagerness to hear a voice from beyond their own borders and the hope on their faces upon hearing the myriad of possibilities in life were just palpable. They had so many questions to ask me about the United States. What I liked the most was everybody took everything I said or did seriously. Every time a meeting is called, they all come and sit attentively, take notes, and ask many questions. I think I was a good cultural ambassador.”

Mbuba said except for riding a university bus to and from campus every day, he walked everywhere carrying a backpack and conducted his shopping in the streets from small booths. On one occasion, when a vendor realized she didn’t have enough change to give him as he bought fruits, she insisted he take the food for free. He later returned with payment and became a regular and favorite customer.

Mbuba said his next goal is to see if a relationship can be started between Africa University and PFW that benefits students from both institutions.