150 Saudi students ordered to leave London this month amid political spat

More than 150 Saudi Arabian students in London are being forced to relocate by the end of the monthafter receiving an order from their country to leave Canada.

On Monday, the Saudi government emailed a notice to its international students who receive funding through the nation's educational scholarship. They were ordered to transfer elsewhere such as the UK or U.S. to complete or restart their post-secondary and post-graduate education.

There are currently 21 Fanshawe College and 131 Western University students from Saudi Arabia, officials told CBC News.

The "unexpected" move comes after Canada criticized the Middle Eastern country for its arrests of two women's rights and civil society activists.

Raif Badawi was arrested in 2012, a year before his wife and children were granted political asylum in Canada. His sister Samar Badawi was arrested in Saudi last week.

And the issue has nowleft many studentswith no choice but topick up and leave.

More than students affected

As a result of the abrupt announcement, affected students in London have banded together for emotional support.

Among them is a 25-year-old Western University Engineering student who's helping organize the moving efforts. CBC News has decided to withhold his identity due to his fear of possible retribution.

"It was shocking. It was unexpected. You're sleeping and you wake up the next day and suddenly you're requested to leave in almost 30 days," said the Eastern Saudi Arabian native.

"It's the end of my educational journey and for whatever reason I have to leave," he added.

He is apart of a WhatsApp group that includes more than 100 affected students in London.

Transferring to a new school in a new country is one thing; saying farewell to a fully established life in a host country is another, he said.

Many of the students in London are now forced to sell their cars, pay off any outstanding debts, prematurely endtheir home leases and cancel all other commitments.

Many of the students are maturewith families and children, he said.

"I have devoted my time right now to help them out," he said, noting that he's now lived in Canada for five years.

Timeline: Less than amonth

So, what does it mean to have to pick up and leave in less than a month?

For the students in London, they've come up with a five-part to-do list, said the organizer of the moving initiatives.

It includes:

• Transferring university and college credits
• Breaking a lease
• Transferring banking and financial information
• Booking airlines and transportation to a new country
• Learning how to respond to other Canadians about the political situation

The 25-year-old said the Saudi government has been very resourceful with helping complete the check list.

Although the situation is a shocking one, he extended his gratitude to the country that's helped him and others like him throughout the years.

"The country has done so much for the students You're under the control of somebody who's been doing you a favour for a long time."

He said his government covers medical, accommodation, travel and educational expenses for its scholarship students.

Throughout the years, students have also received other notices, including a seven-part order on how to behave abroad. Sixth on the list is an order not to engage with discussions or conferences that deal with religious and political groups, among others.

"I absolutely don't have a choice. You have no choice but to leave," he added.

Fanshawe and Western officials saidthey're monitoring the situation.