News

CHENEY, Wash. - In response to the tsunami after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake, Eastern Washington University's International Education team is prepared to help and support international students from Japan as well as U.S. students studying abroad/traveling to Japan.

At this time, it appears none of Eastern's students are from the affected areas, and none of EWU's four students studying in Japan have been impacted.

Because of disruptions to public transportation and air travel, students may find the following resources useful:

• 24/7 phone line available to any international student to call a staff member at 509.999.5256
• Immigration advising and support for students planning to travel to Japan on a short notice
• International calls to Japan (International Education office front desk) at no charge
• Native Japanese speaker on staff to facilitate communication with/in Japan
• Assistance for students impacted by the earthquake for spring quarter

The following are links to other resources:

• Japanese Consulate in Seattle: http://www.seattle.us.emb-japan.go.jp/
• U.S. DOS toll free number 1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444 http://travel.state.gov/
• U.S. Geological Survey: http://www.usgs.gov/blogs/features/2011/03/11/preliminary-magnitude-8-9-near-the-east-coast-of-japan/
• U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/tsunami.php#tsunami_msg
• JPN (NK World-English): http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/11_53.html
• CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/11/japan.quake/index.html
• BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12709598
• ABC: http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/japan-quake-2011/
• Google People Finder: http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/

For more information, please contact Olga Baron Inernational Education at 509.359.4948 or obaron@ewu.edu.

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