Paul Bibby
The students are taking part in a six-day immersion that will introduce them to the local environment and Indigenous culture, and help them to improve their English.
Tour organiser Katie Grubb, from local company Mandarin Pathways, said the students and their families chose the shire because they wanted to go to a safe place with a friendly community.
‘They weren’t that interested in having the Sydney or Melbourne city experience – they’re saturated with a lot of Chinese study tours,’ Ms Grubb says. ‘They wanted to see a small town and experience a connection with how “real Australians” are living.’
Having begun their trip on Sunday with a Welcome to Country ceremony at the Community Gardens in Mullumbimby, the students will attend Brunswick Heads Primary School this week.
They will do activities such as a Bunjalung language class, and ocean and environmental studies, and are being billeted with local families.
‘This is the first time the kids have left their home country and they are all looking forward to having their first home-cooked Aussie meal,’ Ms Grubb said.
‘A few days in a really natural and clean environment is a dream come true for many of them.’
Asian students are on a six-day study tour to introduce them to Indigenous culture, and the environment in a challenge to students to improve their English.