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A dash of spontaneity and a spark of curiosity is how Russell Liabunya went from his everyday life in Malawi to adventuring and studying in the United States.
“I had some friends applying to study in the United States, and I became interested,” Liabunya said. “So, I applied, too, and got selected to Carroll.”
Russell Liabunya is a senior civil engineering major at the University of Malawi. He is from Blantyre, Malawi, a small landlocked country in southeastern Africa.
Liabunya’s country is home to 19 million people, and Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe surround them.
“We call Malawi the warm heart of Africa,” Liabunya said.
Malawi is famous for a massive lake called Lake Malawi, which lies on the eastern border of Malawi. The lake’s believed to be home to between 500 and 1,000 fish species.
Starting at a young age, Liabunya began to practice his English, helping him navigate his way in the United States this semester.
Liabunya’s first language is Chichewa, which stems from the southeastern region of Africa.
Back home, Liabunya loves to play video games with his friends. Specifically, a soccer game called Fifa.
In the United States, most gaming happens online, with headsets and high-speed wifi.
“We don’t have the best internet access,” Liabunya said.
To improvise, Liabunya and his friends meet up in person. They switch controllers, host tournaments, and spend quality time face-to-face.
Liabunya and his friend’s love of Fifa originates from a country-wide passion for soccer.
“Everyone plays soccer back home,” Liabunya said. “I always play just for fun.”
In Malawi, they play soccer in the streets or the park while using bundled-up paper to make a soccer ball to kick.
At Carroll, Liabunya is a part of the National and International Student Organization, a club of international students, allowing them to meet and share their different cultures.
“That community is what I’ve become most attached to,” Liabunya said. “They make me feel like I’m still at home.”
His favorite memory alongside his fellow international students was exploring Yellowstone National Park.
“Yellowstone was amazing,” Liabunya said. “I didn’t know the United States had such wildlife.”
The Yellowstone trip is something that Liabunya will never forget.
“We saw a grizzly bear right off the bat,” Liabunya said. “Then, later on, we also saw a pack of wolves chasing after some elk.”
In December, Liabunya will say goodbye to Carroll and start the journey back home to Malawi, finishing his senior year.
With him, he will carry the experience and memories that will last a lifetime.
“Carroll has been amazing,” Liabunya said. “I am looking forward to going home, but if I could stay at Carroll, I definitely would.”
