International student numbers surge at Chilliwack school district

Chilliwack is seeing a surge in international students post pandemic, according to school district senior staff.

Paul Bernard, a district vice principal, gave a report on the International Education Program to the school board Nov. 12 and fielded questions from trustees. 

He said that before the pandemic, which affected both international travel and the ways schools operated, the district would traditionally “hover” around 100-120 full-time enrolments (FTE). 

Chilliwack is now bringing “significantly” more international students, Bernard said, and is currently sitting at about 170-180 (FTE). One of the reasons that the international student program is growing is similar to why regular enrolment is growing — there are benefits to living outside of the Vancouver area. 

“We are starting to see a shift away from larger programs in the Lower Mainland toward the periphery, like Chilliwack, Mission, Abbotsford and perhaps the Interior,” he said, adding that the smaller communities like Chilliwack offer a quality of life that international students are looking for. 

Representatives for international student programs come from around the world to see Chilliwack firsthand, he noted, and take what they’ve learned back to their own district staff, parents and students. 

In general, students come to Canada to improve their English, but also for things like lifestyle, safety, and a school experience that is different from a lot of places in the world, Bernard said.  

While other countries may focus solely on curriculum, exams and pushing toward post-secondary school, an international student in Canada gains an “experiential component” that they can’t get in their home country. 

Bernard said he spoke to an Italian student last year who was excited to try things like yoga and cooking as supplements to her regular classes. 

“How would I ever do that in Italy?” she asked him. 

Another student was able to feel safe as a student in Chilliwack, expressing their identity in a way they couldn’t back home, Bernard said.

“I love being in Chilliwack because I get to be who I am,” the student told Bernard. “I don’t have to hide like I do back home.”

He said positive stories like that get back to other districts around the world, and that it promotes Chilliwack as a community people want to their children to be in. 

International students are encouraged to get fully immersed in the school community, and often thrive in sports and other clubs, Bernard said. 

There are benefits to Chilliwack students, as well, as the visiting students bring a cross-cultural experience to the classroom. It’s not as common for Canadian students leave the country to study abroad, Bernard told the board. 

“This is a chance to bring the world outside in,” he said. 

During public participation, a parent expressed concern that international students are causing strain on an already over-burdened school district. A union representative also shared concerns that clerical staff would like more support to deal with the extra workload that comes with the international students’ needs. 

The program is currently being reviewed, staff said in response to the concerns. Dave Manuel, assistant superintendent, added that course loads for international students are created in a way that won’t displace regular students. In many cases, international students are placed in AP courses or sports programs that would otherwise have low enrolment, enabling them to run. 

He said it can be helpful to have the students in the district, but that the review will also keep the concerns in mind. 

“We want to balance the needs of the students here with the benefits of having the international students,” said Willow Riechelt, board chair.