Twenty-one students aged between 12 and 20 are attending Taieri College during their nine-week stay and, as well as going to class, the programme emphasises cultural activities and getting into the outdoors.
Taieri College international student director Alison North said, despite an action-packed schedule including abseiling, visiting the Catlins and Aoraki/Mt Cook and the best of Dunedin's activities and visitor spots, yesterday's mayoral reception was the most anticipated.
She believed it equated to meeting Thailand's king.
The students were very excited about it and she had even received a phone call from a female student late the previous night, asking if it was appropriate to wear trousers.
The group, a mix of university and high school students, were spending their whole summer break on the visit, Mrs North said.
One of the biggest challenges for the students was adapting to small group work in school as they were used to big class sizes, 60 being not uncommon.
Completing a physical confidence course in the Catlins pushed many of the students to the edge of their comfort zone, she said.
Mr Chin told the students they were "more advanced" than New Zealand students, as in their education system English was compulsory, while Kiwi students did not have to learn a second language.
Their visit enriched Dunedin, with both cultures learning much about their similarities as well as their differences, Mr Chin said.
Following his speech, students presented Mr Chin with a blanket and posed with him for photos.
