Saudi Arabia’s decision to order the more than 15,000 students to leave Canada is sending ripple effects across the country.

International students make up about $15.5 billion annually to Canada’s economy, with Saudi Arabian students contributing to five-per cent of that.

UNBC has approximately 22 Saudi Arabian students while CNC has none and wasn’t expecting any for the new year.

“International students pay little over three to three and a half times tuition that a domestic students would pay,” says UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks.

The loss of that money will have a negative impact on the school but Dr. Weeks adds there will be a cultural aspect lost too.

“I think it’s important to have a culturally diverse campus and students from all over the world bring an important piece to the educational experience of all students making UNBC a better place.”

Dr. Weeks will be talking with all university presidents tomorrow about what they can do to help students who have to transition to other schools.