Intercultural Communication & Understanding:

About the program

This ERUA intensive course explores intercultural communication, focusing on how culture shapes meaning, interaction, and perception. Through experiential activities, discourse analysis, and case studies, students examine stereotypes, cultural narratives, and communication styles across contexts.

The program emphasizes reflective practice, collaborative problem-solving, and critical thinking. It culminates in an Oxford-style debate, allowing students to integrate insights, apply intercultural skills, and develop strategies for effective communication in diverse settings.

What will you learn?

During the course, you will:

• Master the core principles of intercultural communication and learn how to apply them in global mediation
• Explore how language and thought work together to create meaning across different cultures
• Analyze media and cultural texts to uncover hidden biases, power structures, and social hierarchies
• Identify how language is used in politics and society to create stereotypes or exclude specific groups
• Examine how cultural norms shape professional leadership, communication styles, and persuasion
• Use research-based techniques to identify and resolve misunderstandings in real-world cultural encounters
• Develop practical strategies for managing different cultural approaches to time, feedback, and conflict
• Conduct independent research to build strong, evidence-based arguments on complex global issues
• Participate in a formal Oxford-style debate to sharpen your public speaking and collaborative reasoning skills
• Build a reflective portfolio to document your personal growth and prepare for your future career

Application Process

Before you start your application process, please prepare the following documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages, format A4, .pdf)
2. Grade Point Average (GPA) transcript or a written confirmation of the GPA for the last semester signed by your home university authorities
3. CEFR B2 English proficiency certificate, we accept the following certificates: TOEFL, CAE, IELTS, or FCE. Alternatively, a letter confirming your English skills, printed on your home university’s letterhead, signed by one of your university lecturers.

Application deadline: March 13, 2026.

Funding

Students from ERUA partner universities, other than SWPS University, who are accepted to the program by SWPS University, can apply for travel and accommodation funding at their home university's ERUA Office.

Meet your lecturers

Oki, Emma

Bio

Tak

Permanent employee

Tak

First and last name

Emma Oki

Academic degree or title

Ph.D. / Assistant Professor

Specialization

English philologist and cultural researcher

Email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

City

warszawa

Position

adiunkt

Role in the Faculty

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Role in the Department

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Discipline

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Faculty

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Role in the Institute

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Role in the Research Center

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Ph.D. / Assistant Professor Emma OkiEnglish philologist and cultural researcher

Grzęda, Paulina

Bio

Tak

Specialization

cultural researcher, multilingual philologist, coach

Permanent employee

Tak

First and last name

Paulina Grzęda

Academic degree or title

Ph.D. / Assistant Professor

Email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

City

warszawa

Discipline

culture-and-religion-studies

Position

adiunkt

Role in the Faculty

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Role in the Department

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Faculty

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Role in the Institute

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Role in the Research Center

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Ph.D. / Assistant Professor Paulina Grzędacultural researcher, multilingual philologist (English, Spanish, French), coach

Waśniewska, Małgorzata

Bio

Tak

Permanent employee

Tak

First and last name

Małgorzata Waśniewska

Academic degree or title

Ph.D. / Assistant Professor

City

warszawa

Position

adiunkt

Role in the Faculty

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Role in the Department

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Email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Role in the Institute

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Institute

Institute of Humanities

Specialization

discourse analyst and cognitive linguist

Discipline

Array

Faculty

Array

Role in the Research Center

[]

Ph.D. / Assistant Professor Małgorzata Waśniewskadiscourse analyst and cognitive linguist

Organizers

Funding sources

The project is co-funded by the European Union.

Contact

USWPS Office for International Cooperation: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.