Impact of International Students Subject of Special Conference
By 250 News
Thursday, April 07, 2011 08:42 AM
Prince George, B.C. – When it comes to economic impact, international students pack a punch.
According to the BC Council for International Education, (BCCIE), international students spend about $24 million annually in northern B.C. on tuition, housing, goods and services. The spending creates about 250 jobs for the region.
The benefit of international students is the focus of a special conference that will get underway this evening at the College of New Caledonia.
B.C. is one of the leading destinations for international students in Canada. The BCCIE estimates international students are responsible for $1.8 billion in annual revenue for BC.
CNC hosted 251 international students in 2009/10. The majority of CNC’s international students, 178, came from Asia. A total of 129 came from China, 28 from Korea and 7 from Japan last year. Saudi Arabia is the next largest group with 47 students in 2009/10. CNC also hosts students from Africa, Europe and South America.
The conference will start this evening with a recepton for invited guests at CNC’s “Kodiaks” restaurant. Tomorrow, it shifts to UNBC where there will be a panel presentation and workshop involving education and community leaders from across Northern B.C..
“International students bring so much to the community both financially and in terms of culture that we are just delighted to be a part of this conference,” said Barbra Old, CNC dean of community and international education.
The conference is being put on by the BCCIE, UNBC, Initiatives Prince George and CNC.
“It’s a growing industry and has potential to increase, especially in markets like India where new regulations make it easier for students to come to Canada,” Old said.
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Let's hope that Prince George doesn't go as far as some lower mainland universities in finding housing for international students.
I have been told that first year Canadian resident students, are given first dibs on student housing.
I have also been told about a lower mainland university which then harrasses Canadian students over every imaginable infraction, with the goal of evicting them.
Once the dorm room is free, a month into the term, an international student has a place to stay, registers at the university, and the university profits.