Every country is unique. It has its own customs, culture, and often language--among other things. When travelling abroad it is easy to assume that everyone approaches and reacts to things in a manner that is similar to the way in which we do in America. This is actually far from the truth! What may be completely acceptable in the United States may be taboo in another country. It is important, as visitors, to be respectful of the etiquette and customs of other countries, yet many people still commit obvious faux pas. The Office of Protocol here at The International Center tries to minimize these cultural faux pas. We provide briefing booklets to business and government officials who are travelling abroad filled with protocol and etiquette information about particular countries. These include country overview and cultural dos and don’ts.
You Don't Know What You Don't Know: Minimizing Cultural Faux Pas
By Kate McCarter, Protocol Intern
Every country is unique. It has its own customs, culture, and often language--among other things. When travelling abroad it is easy to assume that everyone approaches and reacts to things in a manner that is similar to the way in which we do in America. This is actually far from the truth! What may be completely acceptable in the United States may be taboo in another country. It is important, as visitors, to be respectful of the etiquette and customs of other countries, yet many people still commit obvious faux pas. The Office of Protocol here at The International Center tries to minimize these cultural faux pas. We provide briefing booklets to business and government officials who are travelling abroad filled with protocol and etiquette information about particular countries. These include country overview and cultural dos and don’ts.
Every country is unique. It has its own customs, culture, and often language--among other things. When travelling abroad it is easy to assume that everyone approaches and reacts to things in a manner that is similar to the way in which we do in America. This is actually far from the truth! What may be completely acceptable in the United States may be taboo in another country. It is important, as visitors, to be respectful of the etiquette and customs of other countries, yet many people still commit obvious faux pas. The Office of Protocol here at The International Center tries to minimize these cultural faux pas. We provide briefing booklets to business and government officials who are travelling abroad filled with protocol and etiquette information about particular countries. These include country overview and cultural dos and don’ts.
Flags as a Way to Preserve a Global Identity
By Kelli Duncan, Protocol intern
At the beginning of my semester-long internship when my Office of Protocol supervisor, Peter Kirkwood, told me (with much enthusiasm) about the importance of our flag collection here at The International Center, I was pretty sure he was overselling it. I mean, flags are just flags right? I was fairly certain that they existed in order to look nice in pictures and to prompt the removal of hats during the national anthem at baseball games before scarfing down the rest of a hot dog. But with the passing years our world has become a much smaller place due to leaps and bounds in globalization efforts.
At the beginning of my semester-long internship when my Office of Protocol supervisor, Peter Kirkwood, told me (with much enthusiasm) about the importance of our flag collection here at The International Center, I was pretty sure he was overselling it. I mean, flags are just flags right? I was fairly certain that they existed in order to look nice in pictures and to prompt the removal of hats during the national anthem at baseball games before scarfing down the rest of a hot dog. But with the passing years our world has become a much smaller place due to leaps and bounds in globalization efforts.
Interns Soarin' All My Flags Are Foreign
People always ask me what it’s like to be an intern at The International Center. Reading the description of the internship, I thought I knew what exactly I was going to be doing and I wouldn’t have any problem telling people what my day to day is like. Oh, how I was wrong! The great thing about being the protocol intern is that every day is different. One day we can be setting up flags for a visiting dignitary, and the next may be spent preparing for a cultural workshop and researching the cultural etiquette of another nation. Coming into the office each Monday, I am presented with another week of challenges that put your critical thinking to the test, and it couldn’t be more exhilarating.
Around the World in a Month
By Eboni Stevens, Protocol Intern
The very first day that I met Peter, I was a little caught off guard. My very first assignment was to memorize the flags of all of the countries represented in the United Nations. I thought for sure he was joking. I was assured he was not. With a very limited (as an understatement) knowledge of flags, my next thought was that this task would be next to impossible to complete before the end of my internship, and I was definitely going to be the worst intern for the position.
The very first day that I met Peter, I was a little caught off guard. My very first assignment was to memorize the flags of all of the countries represented in the United Nations. I thought for sure he was joking. I was assured he was not. With a very limited (as an understatement) knowledge of flags, my next thought was that this task would be next to impossible to complete before the end of my internship, and I was definitely going to be the worst intern for the position.
Office Spotlight: Protocol
By Fiyinfolu Arotiba, Protocol Intern
Interaction among individuals, groups and countries are influenced or directed by certain norms and patterns. These norms tend to be different depending on the geographical location of those involved. My definition of protocol is simply the act of following the right procedures in interaction with each other. In the context of my position as the Protocol Intern at The International Center, protocol can be defined as “what to do in a certain situation” and etiquette is “how to do something gracefully and respectfully.” Both definitions obviously inform anyone about the Office of Protocol’s main activities; we educate and assist individuals, companies and governments in doing the right things in a graceful and respectful manner.
Interaction among individuals, groups and countries are influenced or directed by certain norms and patterns. These norms tend to be different depending on the geographical location of those involved. My definition of protocol is simply the act of following the right procedures in interaction with each other. In the context of my position as the Protocol Intern at The International Center, protocol can be defined as “what to do in a certain situation” and etiquette is “how to do something gracefully and respectfully.” Both definitions obviously inform anyone about the Office of Protocol’s main activities; we educate and assist individuals, companies and governments in doing the right things in a graceful and respectful manner.
Protocol in Practice
By Kasey Cranfill, Protocol Intern
Hello, my name is Kasey Cranfill and I am the Protocol Intern here at The International Center. I graduated from Purdue last year with a degree in Anthropology focusing on cultural and applied anthropology. My goal for this internship has been to see the applied field in action even if what gets done here would rarely be labeled as anthropology.
Hello, my name is Kasey Cranfill and I am the Protocol Intern here at The International Center. I graduated from Purdue last year with a degree in Anthropology focusing on cultural and applied anthropology. My goal for this internship has been to see the applied field in action even if what gets done here would rarely be labeled as anthropology.
My hands-on experience in this regard has come from shadowing and assisting Peter Kirkwood, the Protocol Director for The International Center. In anthropology you are taught to think and look at things from a holistic approach. This involves taking everything into account while keeping in mind the larger picture so that everything fits into place. Protocol seems to me to be a perfect example of this because you have to take everything into account. The smallest details are important, such as to whom do you send invitations -- and where, how you address them in a greeting, who sits where, who sits in what car on the way to the meeting, and various other minute things. While you think about this you have to keep in mind the overall goal you are trying to achieve in order to have a successful meeting, event, ceremony, or whatever it may be.
That brings us to the importance of protocol and being able to think in this holistic manner. It boils down to making whatever it is you’re planning run smoothly and that the mechanics of the efficiency be out of sight to those participating. When two dignitaries meet they don't want to be concerned about sitting in the wrong place or how to get from place to place. Protocol allows them to get down to what they need to focus on. Everyone will be more relaxed and able to do what is needed.
I've learned a lot in this first month here at The International Center, most important being how effective what they do can be. The recent announcement of the new electric car sharing program brought to Indianapolis by the French company Bolloré is a prime example of protocol getting all the planning and management out of the way so that important things can get done.
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to r. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Manager of Automotive-Aerospace
at Ubifrance Georges Ucko, President and CEO of The International Center Diane Thomas, and Vice President and General Manager of IER, Inc. Herve Muller |
Face to Face
By Chandin Lambert, Protocol Intern
"It's a revolutionary world we live in. And it is the young people who must take the lead." -JFK
The world we live in today is 4.54 billion years old, and the modern era began around the 16th century. The age of our world does not change the fact that it is continulously changing. We live in a revolutionary world that allows young people and generations to sculpt the world we live in. Regardless of each country's history or culture, everyone and everything is subject to change. I have been blessed to receive an unbelievable education from Ball State University, Westminster College of London, and now The International Center. The international knowledge I have gained from my internship at The Center I will take with me throughout my adventures and journerys for the rest of my life.
My time interning at The Center has been brilliant, and I have had many great experiences. I had the privilege of working under Peter Kirkwood in the Office of Protocol. My first week with The Center Peter invited me to the sister city signing ceremony for Kokomo and Dongyang. I accepted this invitation and arrived in the city of Kokomo to find people willing to learn. I watched with great interest as Peter instructed the members of the Kokomo mayor's office in Chinese culture. The lesson itself ranged from introductions to exchanging business cards. I did not understand before that day how much influence proper cultural training and protocol have in international affairs. The training from Peter and The Center allowed this event to go very smoothly. This allowed people from the city of Kokomo and Dongyang to build relationships. The delegates interacted very enthusiastically with the community of Kokomo, and were very grateful for the hospitatlity the city showed during their visit.
The generation we live in today is very dependent on technology and this has its positive and negatives. I attended a political science summit last weekend and one of the speakers said the best advice I can give you is to delete your social media and go out and meet someone. This message stuck with me and made me realize this is what The Center is doing every day. The Center has technology and utilizes it, but it is leading the Indianapolis community in going out and building international relationships.
The world we live in today may have its problems but I love it. The international community offers diverse cultures with diverse people interacting around the globe. Go meet someone from a different background, and get to know them. Build a relationship with this individual, and both parties will benefit from it. This is what The International Center does every day, with people and organizations from around the world. Follow their lead, and go out and meet someone. Continue the great tradition of change in our world that we are all blessed to live in.
Sister Cities International Festival
By Maddie Silverstein, Marketing and Communications Intern
On Saturday September 15, we paired up with the Mayor’s office of International and Cultural Affairs to celebrate Indy’s eight sister cities. The Sister Cities International Festival provided good fun, food, music, and more for the whole family.
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| Downton Indianapolis |
On Saturday September 15, we paired up with the Mayor’s office of International and Cultural Affairs to celebrate Indy’s eight sister cities. The Sister Cities International Festival provided good fun, food, music, and more for the whole family.
The Olympics in a Global Culture
By Marielle Petranof, Office of Protocol Intern
With the 2012 Summer Olympic Games currently underway, it occurs to me that the world seems to be getting a whole lot smaller. When the Games are going on, it’s easy to think of ourselves as part of a global culture. In a way, everyone speaks the same language: sport.
With the 2012 Summer Olympic Games currently underway, it occurs to me that the world seems to be getting a whole lot smaller. When the Games are going on, it’s easy to think of ourselves as part of a global culture. In a way, everyone speaks the same language: sport.
Xiangyang Sister Cities Delegation
By Katherine Voskoboynik, Development Intern
One of the best parts of being an intern at The
International Center is the opportunity to involve oneself in the various areas
of the organization. This enables us to venture beyond the positions assigned to
us that are inscribed on our email signatures, and provides a multifaceted
perspective on the internship experience. While we always have plenty to keep
us busy in our ‘areas of expertise’, we occasionally stray from the work that
pertains to our positions and collaborate on various projects that benefit The
Center as a whole. I’ll give you an example to illustrate exactly what I mean:
Last week, several of us [interns] were approached by Peter
Kirkwood, Officer of Protocol. He presented the opportunity to join him and several
other staff members on Friday at the Indianapolis International Airport in
greeting a delegation from Xianyang, China (consisting of the Deputy Mayor and
the Deputy Director of the Department of Education.) The delegation had arrived
to officially forge a Sister Cities partnership with Carmel, Indiana. This
project, spearheaded by Peter, the City of Carmel, and Chinese community
leaders in Carmel, has been in the works for the past 18 months. It was an
honor to be included in one of the moments that culminated the nearly two
year-old efforts put forth by all parties, even if we were only greeting the
delegation at the airport.
However, we were not merely bystanders in this situation.
While our presence primarily served to provide a heartfelt welcome to the
delegation upon their arrival, Peter had also given us each an assignment to
enhance the experience. For example, Marielle, the intern for the Office of
Protocol, was charged with coordinating the logistics of their visit. She was
also given the opportunity to utilize her knowledge of Mandarin Chinese by
creating a poster welcoming the delegation to our city. Peter, the
Communication intern, was tasked with carrying a video camera and recording the
whole affair. Peter K. had asked me to prepare a few questions to ask the delegation
members upon their arrival. Little did I know that I was going to be collaborating
with the Carmel Public Access television station to conduct my brief interview.
What a privilege it was to not only interact with the delegation, but also to
meet and work with real media professionals!
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| Marielle's poster welcoming the delegation in both English and Mandarin |
If you had asked me at the beginning of this internship what
I was expecting from the experience, never in my wildest dreams would I have
envisioned myself appearing on public access television, submitting press
releases to The Indianapolis Star and the Indianapolis Business Journal, speaking
and presenting a flag at a naturalization ceremony at the Federal Courthouse, meeting
the Deputy Mayor of an influential Chinese city, and many more things (the list
could go on and on)… What a journey this has been so far, and I can’t wait to
see what else is in store for me!
Flags and Formatting: A Busy Week for Protocol
By Marielle Petranoff, Office of Protocol Intern
Well, hello everyone.
Well, hello everyone.
Let’s talk about flags.