Earlham’s Studies in Cross Cultural Education (SICE) program provides students a unique opportunity to learn about Japan by participating in a Japanese community. Students become a member of a local school by serving as a foreign language (English) teaching assistant. About ten students participate in SICE every year. The program is located in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of Japan.
During the semester, students travel to the Tohoku coastline including the city of Miyako and the village of Tanohata. Students meet with government officials to discuss the recovery efforts following the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami; tour some of the devastated areas and learn about risk management planning for the future; and visit households and businesses that have a long relationship with Earlham College.