Students throughout Calgary are heading back to class this September and those that come from other countries to study have learned they’ll be paying a lot more.

The cost for international students at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology is way up and it will likely stay that way.

Xu Mong has been in the city for only a week and says she loves being here.

“I think Canadians are friendly. I really love the people here because when I wait for the bus, some people say hello to me and smile with me.”

She says she is happy to be studying in Canada, despite how much it costs to do so.

This year, the tuition cost for international students has jumped, dramatically in some cases.

Officials say two thirds of its programs cost more for foreign students, but they had little choice considering how costs are rising.

“As a publicly funded institution, SAIT is responsible to ensure there is no burden to the taxpayers of Alberta to deliver programs to international students,” the institution wrote in a statement.

Last year, Alberta froze tuition for local students and provided schools with extra funding to compensate.

The province says it is aware of the problem of the unpredictability of international student fees and is trying to find ways to attract young minds from overseas.

“International students bring a diversity of perspective,” said Marlin Schmidt Alberta’s Advanced Education Minister. “They add to cultural differences and the richness of life on campuses. We want to make sure education remains accessible and affordable for all students.”

Mong says she is doing all she can to keep costs down.

“More expense than my country but I think it’s okay. You don’t need to buy expensive cereal. You can choose the cheap one.”