BY ALEXANDRA MACAULAY ABDELWAHAB
Ryerson attracted more international students this year, but some worry that high tuition fees might make it more difficult to keep them.
“Tuition fees are too damn high,” said Dario McPhee, a fourth-year architecture student from the Bahamas. “Canada’s dollar is getting really strong so what we pay keeps going up.”
According to a report released by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, the Canadian economy made $6.5 billion from international students in 2008. Almost 34,000 international students are enrolled in Ontario universities.
Ryerson registered almost 300 international students this year, a 30 per cent increase from last year, according to Charmaine Hack, director of undergraduate admissions and recruitment.
“We don’t make any money on international students,” said President Sheldon Levy. “The tuition we charge is exactly the same as if they were a domestic student except they’re paying the government grant.”
At Ryerson, international students paid at least $15,390 this year. McMaster University international students paid about $13,600, while University of Toronto students paid about $19,400.
Diana Ning, co-ordinator of international student services, said financial problems are a main issue that international students have to face. “With the exchange rate, it could be an overwhelming financial pressure on their families.”
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