Exploring Philosophy and Culture Across Continents

Mr Lungelo Mbatha’s academic journey has taken him far beyond the lecture halls of the University of KwZulu-Natal (UKZN).

A dedicated scholar of African Philosophy with an adventurous mind by nature, Mbatha set his sights on exploring Europe to discover how learning unfolds in a completely different environment. What he found in the heart of Czechia was not only a new academic perspective, but also a vivid experience of culture, efficiency, and community that reshaped his understanding of what is possible in Higher Education and society at large.

A PhD candidate in Philosophy, Mbatha has been pursuing his doctoral studies since 2018 and is now in what he hopes is his final semester. Alongside his research, he lectures in the Philosophy department at UKZN, where he continues to grow both as an academic and a student.

His semester at the University of Hradec Králové in Czechia gave him the rare opportunity to compare academic cultures and witness first-hand how institutions operate outside Africa. His motivation was twofold: intellectual curiosity about global academic practices and a personal desire to explore Europe’s architecture, people and way of life.

Struck by the precision of the public transport system, the safety of the city, and the citizens’ commitment to cleanliness and recycling, he says the most rewarding aspect of his stay abroad was experiencing how effectively a well-co-ordinated society can function. These collective traits offered him an optimistic vision of how countries with difficult histories can still achieve impressive levels of efficiency and unity.

The journey was not without its challenges. Language barriers made everyday tasks more complicated, especially when dealing with public service offices where staff often spoke only the local language. At one point, he needed help from a friend who spoke Czech to secure a semester bus ticket.

Despite these hurdles, his time abroad created unforgettable memories. One highlight was a film screening in Prague where he met university staff, fellow students, and dignitaries from South Africa and other nations. Another highlight was a serene tram ride through the city, which he describes as one of his most beautiful urban experiences anywhere in the world.

To students considering studying abroad, Mbatha’s advice is simple: stay open-minded, embrace the unfamiliar, learn the history, and pick up some basics of the local language. They are small inputs but go a long way to enriching the experience.

While in Czechia, he also tasted local dishes such as utopenci and nakládaný hermelín (pickled sausage and cheese), which he enjoyed and would happily eat again.

Aiming for a career in academia, he hopes to become a professor, sharing impactful lectures both in South Africa and internationally – including, he hopes, a return to the University of Hradec Králové.

• Mbatha’s student mobility was made possible by the Erasmus+ student scholarship. To discover more about studying abroad, e-mail Ms Preshantha Reddy, Student Exchange/Study Abroad Co-ordinator at UKZN’s International Relations Office.

Detailed captions:

1. UKZN student Mr Lungelo Mbatha (far left) with a friend, Mr Goodman Ntshalintshali (second right), the South African Ambassador to Czechia Mosa D Sejosingoe (second left) and Counsellor Namhla Gigaba of the Embassy of South Africa to Czechia. The Ambassador was delivering an address at the University of Hradec Králové.
2. Mr Lungelo Mbatha outside the main campus of the University of Hradec Králové.
3. Mr Lungelo Mbatha at a soccer match with friends Mr Daniel Guerrero of Colombia (right), and Mr Vincent Tugume of Uganda (left).

Words: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer

Photographs: Supplied