Within the past couple of decades, the identity of the archivist has altered dramatically. Archival education, archival administration, and the archival exchange of ideas across borders both geographical and intellectual have all contributed to an accelerated pace, newer vitality, and different direction of change for the profession. Within all the change, what and where are the enduring “cultures” of archives? Based upon her involvement in ongoing educational and professional exchanges between the archives of the University of Michigan (USA) and archives and educational institutions in France , Russia , and China , the speaker proposes a series of observations to address these questions from an American perspective. The speaker will also draw from her experience as former editor (2000-2004) of the International Council on Archives journal, entitled Comma .