International students attending Thompson Rivers University contribute greatly to the local economy as well as university culture.

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International students contribute $88 million to the Kamloops economy each year.

A report entitled the Economic Impact of Thompson Rivers University’s International Students on the Kamloops Economy, by Dr. Zena A. Seldon, Associate Professor of Economics, in the School of Business and Economics, reveals a current annual economic impact of $87.8M, more than seven times its value 15 years earlier and more than double that of a period only five years ago.

“It is notable that the efforts of TRU World have also increased TRU’s capacity for domestic students by 25 per cent,” said Alan Shaver, TRU President and Vice Chancellor. “Equally impressive is the effect of internationalization on our campus. Everyday our students are engaged with people from other countries offering a global perspective to what they are learning and the way they live and work.”

This year, 1,460 students from 85 countries are attending classes at TRU. The report asserts that those individuals will on average each spend approximately $28,800 yearly in Kamloops; $14,700 on tuition and fees, $11,700 on basic living costs and $2,300 in capital purchases.

“The international students’ demand for degrees offered by TRU will continue for the foreseeable future,” said Dr. Wes Koczka, Associate Vice President International. “TRU World is planning for controlled growth over the next five years.”

Cumulatively, international students’ total direct expenditures generated in Kamloops is estimated to be $49.6M; $20.5M in basic living and capital purchases, $21.5M in tuition and fees, $6.7M from international student visitor expenses, and $834K in short-term programming fees.

Applying the economic impact multipliers used in 2005-2006 document, 2.19 for tuition and 1.43 for all other spending, international students generate $47.1M in tuition payments, $29.4M in living expenditures and capital purchases, $9.6M in visitor spending and $1.8M in short term program fees. In 2005-06 the economic impact was estimated to be $41M.

Dr. Seldon’s report is, in part, an update on a previous analysis developed by the late Dr. James Seldon, Professor of Economic, School of Business and Economics, released in 2005-2006.