286 international students are gracing the halls of UNBC.
The most common country of origin is China taking 23% of the import population followed by Saudi Arabia and Nigeria at 11%.
While BC continues to be the top choice for international students, UNBC President, Daniel Weeks says they have to put their work boots on in order to attract students from overseas.
“We don’t necessarily get the largest piece of the pie and in the north, we have to work a little harder to get international students find their way to us and to create more pathways for international students so they can attend the best small university in Canada.”
Weeks adds the cultural diversity at the school can provide many positives for the city.
“We could safely double our international student count in the next five years which is sort of our soft goal. It’s good for our campus, to our city, it brings a greater diversity of thought in our student population and it’s just a healthy thing for our campus.”
BC universities have the highest proportion of international students in Canada at 17.6%.
The number of international students in the province has increased 44% between 2010 and 2015.