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Japan: Studies in Cross Cultural Education

"As a result of this program, I have grown more comfortable with myself and with 'being me' in general. I've decided that my aspirations are worthy of me, and I have more confidence to try and tackle those goals."
- Past participant of the SICE: Japan Program

Program Description

Earlham's 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. Students live as a member of a local family during their four-month stay in Japan. As residents of Morioka, capital of Iwate Prefecture, students live in one of Japan’s loveliest regional cities

About ten students participate in SICE every year. The group is accompanied by an Earlham faculty leader who conducts several courses as part of the program. Local faculty are hired to teach intermediate and advanced Japanese.

The group takes field trips to sites around Morioka, and the program ends with a three or four-day trip to one of Japan’s metropolitan regions such as Tokyo, Hiroshima, or Kyoto. Students also participate in activities planned by the host families and Morioka citizens.

Location

The SICE program is located in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of Japan. Morioka, population 200,000, is the prefectural capital city. A stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen, Morioka is easily accessible from Tokyo.