UPEI attracting more international students

UPEI is seeing an increase in the number of international students this semester.

About 800 have already registered, with more to come, according to manager of enrollment at UPEI Jerry Wang. There were about 730 enrolled last year.

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Wang said some of the increase is from international students interested in new programs that UPEI is offering in math, computer science, business and engineering.

Pleasant surprise

But a recruiting trip to two African countries earlier this year is also paying off, with students from Rwanda and Mauritius enrolling at UPEI a "pleasant surprise."

"We were kind of exploring," Wang said.

"But to see students from there after only one trip that's something we don't see very often."

Orientation day

The university is hosting its international student orientation on Friday. There is a 20 per cent jump in the number of people attending over last year, Wang said.

Many of UPEI's international students come from Nigeria, China and the U.S.

Wang said they choose UPEI because of they feel the Island is a safe place to live and they like the smaller class sizes.

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