International student enrolment in Manitoba increased by 17 percent in 2018, with 18,725 students from 100 countries attending schools and post-secondary institutions throughout the province, Education and Training Minister Kelvin Goertzen says.

Western School Division (WSD) hosts up to 15 of these students every year through their international education program, and they are looking forward to the 2019/20 school year.

WSD Vice Superintendent Cyndy Kutzner says, "right now we have six students that are confirmed for our international education program. We are expecting fewer next year than in the past and I think it's just because our schools are very very full and they're very busy right now."

Generally the students - many of which come from Mexico - wish to attend school in Morden in grade eight, but the full schools in WSD are making this more difficult, she says.

"We probably could expand in terms of fitting more students in at the high school, but getting homestays, that's probably where we limit our numbers. And it's a good number for us too."

Kutzner notes that quality homestays are important to the division as it allows students to learn about Canadian culture by living with a family from Canada.

Minister Goertzen also declared 2019 as the Year of International Education in Manitoba, in recognition of Manitoba's growing reputation as a destination of choice for international students.

"The International Education Stream establishes clear and predictable immigration pathways for students who can make significant contributions to Manitoba's labour market and economy," says Goertzen. "As a result, we are able to attract more international students, who bring diverse skills and talents to Manitoba that support our economy."

Kutzner adds, "all the feedback we get from our students is that Morden is such a beautiful place to be, it's such an accepting place, and so I think it's just great to have as many opportunities to see other cultures and for our students to get to meet some of these students and see what it's like to be from someplace else."

She says the program is very important to WSD as it helps them expose their students to the diverse population within the world, and the Pembina Valley.