UWL’s Nicole Gullekson bridges cultures, strengthens partnerships during semester in Slovakia

UWL's Nicole Gullekson bridges cultures, strengthens partnerships during semester in Slovakia

When Nicole Gullekson traveled to Bratislava last spring, she wasn't just teaching about global leadership - she was living it.

Gullekson, professor of management at UW-La Crosse, spent the spring 2025 semester at the Economics University of Bratislava (EUBA) as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar.

The Fulbright Program, established in 1946, offers U.S. scholars the chance to teach and conduct research abroad, engaging in cross-cultural exchanges and tackling global challenges. For Gullekson, it was an opportunity to bring her expertise to an international stage while also gaining new insights to bring back to UWL.

Gullekson's work focused on faculty development, global leadership and consulting, in addition to building partnerships that will benefit students and faculty for years to come.

"In my capacity as a Fulbright scholar, I was able to experience firsthand what I teach students about - what it is like to live and work in another country," Gullekson explains. "I am coming back with countless real-world examples for the classroom and a larger network of business professionals who are also on international assignments."

The Fulbright Program was a natural fit for Gullekson, who has spent more than a decade partnering with EUBA through short-term study abroad programs.

"I wanted to spend more time there to work with my Slovak colleagues and to enhance my industry partnerships, which is easier to do in person," Gullekson says.

For Gullekson, her semester abroad became a living case study of the same principles she teaches in her international management and global leadership courses.

"I did a variety of different activities related to global leadership, including working in the Department of Management's Coaching Center, supporting faculty development in different pedagogies for internationalization, serving on university committees, and working with faculty and administrators to advance curriculum and partnership goals," Gullekson says.

Her research also provided fresh perspectives, focusing on global leadership practices and the unique challenges women face in Slovakia and the U.S.

"In Slovakia, typically, women are out of the workforce for three years per child - sometimes six years or more," Gullekson says. "I spent a great deal of time talking with companies about the impact of parental leave on businesses and on women's leadership opportunities."

Her Fulbright experience stretched beyond Slovakia. While abroad, Gullekson also traveled to Ireland to visit the University of Galway, where she exchanged ideas on international pedagogy. Each experience, she says, added depth to the subjects she teaches at UWL.

Gullekson sees opportunities for even greater collaboration between UWL and EUBA in the future. This fall, her students will work virtually with Slovak students through a Collaborative Online International Learning ( COIL ) project, and discussions are underway to expand internships, faculty exchanges and study abroad opportunities.