International Social Etiquette and Protocol Programme

- The Elegance Touch -

— A Global Standard Programme to Cultivate True Elegance and Presence —

"True elegance is intelligence expressed through gestures, words, and deep respect for others."
Mirei Cecilia Hakuba

The Elegance Touch is ICPA’s original training programme inspired by the spirit of traditional British finishing schools.

It blends timeless social etiquette, contemporary international protocol, and refined cultural intelligence to develop authentic, globally recognised elegance.

This programme is not merely about learning gestures—it nurtures the intellectual grace and intercultural refinement required to leave a lasting impression on any international stage.

Whether your field is business, diplomacy, education, the arts, or beyond, this is a highly practical and transformative learning experience for anyone who seeks to embody true distinction.

Who This Programme Is For

Those who wish to gain refined cultural intelligence for international contexts
Individuals aiming to present themselves with polished elegance in global settings
Those interested in international social etiquette and protocol
People who aspire to cultivate quiet confidence and dignified charm
Participants in high-level social, artistic, or cultural environments
Professionals seeking certification or aspiring to become instructors

What Makes This Programme Unique

Instruction Based on Global Standards
Learn true elegance rooted in time-honoured traditions and international etiquette
Hands-on and Immersive Curriculum
Acquire elegant behaviour and refined presence through experiential learning
Protocol with a Multicultural Perspective
Understand how to navigate diverse cultural contexts with grace and respect
Prestigious 5-Star Venues
All in-person sessions are held in refined, five-star venues—designed to elevate your mindset and sense of self from within
Private or Small Group Format
One-on-one or small class settings allow for personalised attention and focused learning
Structured Home Learning and Feedback
Between sessions, participants receive carefully prepared slides, assignments, and resources—along with thoughtful feedback from instructors
A Blend of Theory, Practice, and Consulting
The programme integrates academic foundations, practical training, and individual consultation to ensure measurable personal growth

Elevate your presence to a global standard of elegance.

With The Elegance Touch, you will gain not just knowledge—but a lifelong foundation of poise, confidence, and cultural sophistication.

✔️ Natural confidence and elegant self-presentation

✔️ Culturally sensitive and respectful social behaviours

✔️ Global adaptability and social intelligence

✔️ Enhanced presence at formal events and gatherings

✔️ Pathway to certification and teaching opportunities

Programme Levels

Beginner Level

Foundations of Grace and Social PresenceBritish afternoon tea etiquette and elegant postureGreetings, facial expression and physical presenceNon-verbal communication and gesturesEveryday etiquette: giving, visiting, hosting

Intermediate Level

Cross-Cultural Awareness and Social AdaptabilityEuropean dress codes and cultural valuesWine, dining, and high-society event etiquetteGuest lectures by specialists (fashion, wine, culture)Etiquette in multicultural environments

Advanced Level

Strategic Social Presence and Intellectual EleganceProtocols for elite and aristocratic settingsFirst impression strategy and lasting influenceMerging posture, language, and cultural refinementInstructor-level output and real-world application

Specialist Qualification

Official Qualification by ICPAAvailable upon completion of all three levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)Certified as a Social Etiquette & Protocol SpecialistEligible to teach at ICPA-recognised institutions (with additional licensing)Certificate awarded with ICPA international sealIdeal for future professionals, educators, and international consultants

Voices of the students

Looking back after about a month since the end of the course, I feel once again that I am glad to have found this course. I was impressed by the way the course led me in the direction of solutions to my concerns about international communication and taught me how to express myself in a more attractive way, which is essential in the process.The content of the course is now starting to become part of who I am, and it's scary to think that if I hadn't learned it, I would still be the same person I was before the course.I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to make themselves shine even more, including those who are not confident at the moment.

Once I realised that manners and etiquette are not rules that someone else has set up for us to follow, but rather the starting point of how we should behave in order not to offend others when communicating with them, I understood why the behaviour was considered good manners, and I enjoyed learning it. It became a pleasure to learn. It was a magnificent and fascinating experience to unravel the history of etiquette and manners in the world from the ancient times. It was interesting to learn that in every age, people have thought about the other person and acted accordingly, which has accumulated and led to the etiquette and manners of the present day. The courses are not only classroom lectures, but also achievements in table manners and the possibility to participate in regular social events.

The study was much more powerful and content-rich than the beginner's level. In my fourth year of working, I was wondering how to deal with people from overseas as my company was doing business with them, when I fatefully came across the ICPA. I spent a year studying International Etiquette and Manners culture from beginner to advanced level. After learning, I realised that it was very significant to learn the culture of International Etiquette and Manners at ICPA from three perspectives.

I felt that no one could give me a better answer than Murata-sensei, who is backed up by her experience, offers personalised solutions, gives suggestions to help me visualise what I am aiming for, and tries to support my growth.I often think that there are two types of people who work as teachers or lecturers when learning something. On the one hand, there are many teachers who are doing what they love for a living and teaching for the sake of it, but don't have a real view of their students' true development or what they are coming to study for. I also thought that it would be selfish of me to expect more than that.On the other hand, there are coaches and masters who take the student's future and vision into consideration, but I can hardly remember meeting such a coach or masters, even though I have studied many lessons.I strongly felt that Murata Sensei is exactly the latter kind of teacher and coach.The way she dines is surprisingly beautiful and she is so artistic that it makes me feel pleasant, and just by having dinner with her, I felt as if I had become a lady.Thank you very much for giving me such a session that nourished my heart and made me feel more hopeful about my own growth. I would like to continue my learning and to continue to learn from you.

I have completed The Finishing Touch Beginners' Course, which started at the end of May with five days of private lessons with Murata-sensei. The lessons were not limited to Western history, but also included Japan and the Middle East, and included a French restaurant at the Palace Hotel, table manners at the Crown, afternoon tea at the Imperial Hotel and Aqua, and a chance to move from home base for practical work. There were! Although English conversation may be necessary, it gave me an opportunity to think about the Japanese mindset as a cosmopolitan person before conversation.The textbooks are all in English, as the school is accredited in the UK, but Murata-sensei, who has experience of living abroad and working for a foreign company, translated the difficult parts for us, so we were able to progress without any problems. I am not good at history or English, but I was able to spend a very meaningful time. Thank you very much. I would like to incorporate international etiquette into my daily life and enjoy being considerate of others and being comfortable with each other. This was no run-of-the-mill etiquette school!In addition, Ms Murata... is a wonderful person who is really trustworthy as an instructor and as a woman, because she is on the axis and never wavers.

The study was much more powerful and content-rich than the beginner’s level. In my fourth year of working, I was wondering how to deal with people from overseas as my company was doing business with them, when I fatefully came across the ICPA. I spent a year studying International Etiquette and Manners culture from beginner to advanced level. After learning, I realised that it was very significant to learn International Etiquette and Manners culture at ICPA from three different perspectives.

The ICPA is aware of the problems with this situation and focuses on providing learning opportunities for young people. Learning etiquette and manners cannot be achieved overnight. We feel that it is valuable to have an environment where these skills are taught from an early stage, as they will be useful for a long time in the future.

Read Student’s Blog

Ms Rika Kinoshita (26)

It is of course recommended for those, like me, who say they are worried about communicating with people from other countries, and also a good opportunity for those who are naturally confident in Western etiquette and communication to test their skills.

As each male and female has their own role to play, both women and men will be able to learn about the content of your course.
The knowledge will definitely give you an advantage at some point in your career.

I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to make themselves shine even more, including those who are not confident at the moment.

I would like to thank you again for the wonderful learning experience.

Read the whole article

Ms S.Y

ICPA Features To Support Your Learning Journey

We do not just teach etiquette; we guide you through a transformative experience of culture. Our courses are designed to nurture your cultural intelligence, helping you navigate the nuances of global society with confidence and authenticity.

On-site Learning

Access to our state-of-the-art training facilities
Immersive cultural experiences in authentic settings

Refreshments & Dining

Complimentary refreshments during sessions
Practical dining etiquette sessions with authentic cuisine

Online Resources

24/7 access to our online learning platform
Comprehensive slide decks for review
Supplementary study materials
Interactive lesson quizzes

Progress Tracking

Pre-course and post-course assessments
Personalized progress reports

One-on-one consultations with cultural experts
Access to our global social platform for students

Learning Materials

Detailed course workbook
Handouts and reference guides

Official ICPA course completion certificate
Digital badge for your professional profiles

Continuous Learning

Regular updates to course materials
Access to the latest information on etiquette, culture, and protocol

Specialist Programme Extras

Comprehensive instructor’s manual (for those in the Specialist Programme)
Exclusive access to our Specialist social platform
All instructional materials for teaching global etiquette and International protocol (and Japanese ones)

Online Course Bonuses

Full video recordings of all lessons for review
Interactive virtual etiquette practice sessions

Note: Features may vary depending on the specific course and level chosen. Please refer to individual course descriptions for a detailed list of inclusions.

Now is the time to embody true elegance

Other Courses

International Gentlemen's Studies and Etiquette

Global Business Etiquette and Protocol

International Diplomatic Protocol

Japanese Etiquette and Protocol