International students a boon for school board

Business is booming this year in the Okanagan Skaha School District’s international student program.

Trustees heard this week a total of 111 students from 15 countries are taking classes in Penticton-area schools, resulting in a substantial boost to the local economy.

Jeff Guy, the district principal responsible for the program, said the visitors represent 82 full-time equivalent students, up from 56 just two years ago. He hopes to grow that number to 100 FTEs before putting a cap on enrolment to preserve the program’s “boutique” status.

“The mantra is smaller is better when it comes to international education,” said Guy, explaining visitors are generally here to learn English, which is difficult if they’re surrounded by too many people speaking their native tongue.

International students here for two terms currently pay $22,300, which includes $12,500 for tuition and $8,000 for room and board with a host family.

Guy said that fee structure is the lowest in B.C. and is expected to result in revenue of $1.6 million for the district this year, before expenses such as staffing, home-stays and recruitment. But the profit margin is still significant.

Secretary-treasurer Bonnie Roller Routley said the district cleared roughly $200,000 off the $1.2 million in fees it collected last year.

And superintendent Wendy Hyer noted the majority of revenue still goes into local pockets.

“Even if it’s spent on staffing or funding for home-stay families, it is a revenue generator for our community and contributes to our community here, and it’s by no means a small amount,” she said.

This year’s visiting students come from Germany, Japan, China, Mexico, Korea, Spain, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Thailand, Vietnam, Venezuela and the U.S.

Local host families are always needed and receive $750 per student each month.