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Professor Anastassia Zabrodskaja undertook an Erasmus+ teaching mobility to the University of Kansas (Lawrence, USA), marking the continuation of a fruitful academic exchange that had earlier brought Professor Yan Bing Zhang to Tallinn. Building upon their previous collaboration, Professor Zabrodskaja’s visit aimed to deepen the partnership between the two institutions, expand collaboration in intercultural communication, and share European perspectives on identity, language contact, and communication management with American students and faculty. Her journey to Lawrence symbolized not only the strengthening of transatlantic academic ties but also the personal and professional growth that emerges from intercultural dialogue and mutual learning.

During her visit, Professor Zabrodskaja collaborated closely with Professor Yan Bing Zhang, bringing together their complementary expertise in intercultural communication. Professor Zabrodskaja’s research focuses on identity, language contact, and linguistic landscapes, while Professor Zhang specializes in intergroup and intercultural relations, with particular attention to cognitive schemas, societal norms, media representations, and conflict management. Together, they provided students with a multifaceted learning experience that combined European and American perspectives, bridging theory with practice.

Throughout the visit, the professors collaborated on undergraduate and graduate courses related to intercultural communication. Students at the University of Kansas gained the opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives on intercultural dynamics, including identity formation, language practices, communication management, and media representations. The integration of Eastern European and North American viewpoints enriched students’ understanding of global communication processes and encouraged critical reflection on cultural diversity and inclusion. During her stay, Professor Anastassia Zabrodskaja also updated the course “Internationalization, Multiculturalism, and the Challenges for Business Management” at Tallinn University to ensure its continued relevance to the challenges of 2025.

Beyond classroom teaching, the visit facilitated professional networking and the exchange of academic resources between Tallinn University and the University of Kansas. By bringing together two distinct academic and cultural traditions, the collaboration enhanced methodological rigor, encouraged innovative teaching approaches, and underscored the relevance of intercultural communication in addressing contemporary social and organizational challenges. During her visit, Professor Anastassia Zabrodskaja worked on revising the Communication Management MA programme, drawing on Professor Yan Bing Zhang’s expertise to enhance the curriculum and ensure its continued academic excellence.

Professor Zabrodskaja also benefited from observing Professor Zhang’s teaching and mentorship practices and from engaging with the vibrant academic community at the University of Kansas. She was particularly inspired by the university’s commitment to student-centered learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research excellence.

Professor Zabrodskaja’s visit exemplified the goals of the Erasmus+ teacher exchange program—strengthening international cooperation, fostering intercultural understanding, and building sustainable academic partnerships across borders. She expresses her deep gratitude to the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas for its warm hospitality, inspiring academic environment, and generous collaboration. Professor Zabrodskaja looks forward to continuing the exchange of knowledge, experience, and perspectives between Tallinn University and the University of Kansas in the future.

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For additional information, please reach out to Dr. Anastassia Zabrodskaja, Professor of Intercultural Communication, Head of the MA Program in Communication Management, and Executive Director of the European Masters in Intercultural Communication, at anastassia.zabrodskaja@tlu.ee.