This program was initiated by the former Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong, the Rev. Nicholas Tai Ho Fai, and the Mission Developer of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Alberta Synod, Rev. Peter Chau, with the aim of building a partnership between the Lutheran Churches in Canada and in Hong Kong, and also strengthening the ties between the two Churches. It was agreed that the exchange of students from Lutheran Schools in both countries was a good start. The program was launched in June 2012, when students from three Hong Kong Lutheran secondary schools visited Canada for 14 days. Since then, students from Yuen Long Lutheran Secondary School and CCC Kei To Secondary School have also participated in the program. The trip began with sightseeing and travel in Vancouver, the Rocky Mountains and Alberta, and concluded with 7 days at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus, in Camrose, Alberta. Classes at Augustana were designed to improve the students’ English language skills, and to introduce them to Canadian history and culture.

The Calgary Lifelong Learning Centre is registered as an educational services organization under the auspices of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Alberta Synod, and currently operates the school of Adult Learning, Lifelong Chinese School, School of Community Services and Study Tour.

Located on a picturesque residential campus in the small city of Camrose, 90 kilometers southeast of Edmonton, Augustana’s primary focus is undergraduate teaching and learning, with distinctive degree programs in arts, sciences, music and management. Augustana’s students are drawn from across Canada and around the world.

Augustana was a Lutheran college from 1910 until its 2004 merger with the University of Alberta. It is now known as the Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta. In its early years, it provided a significant opportunity for secondary education and was recognized for the quality of its academic program. Additionally, its focus was to provide an education that extended beyond the intellect to the “heart and its affections.” As such, the university emphasized residence life and students were highly involved in oncampus programs, which formed a pivotal part of the campus experience. Augustana began offering university work in the fall of 1959 as an affiliated college of the University of Alberta and added a second year of the university transfer program in 1969. It became Alberta’s first private university in 1985 when the first B.A. degrees were granted.

Known for its abundant parkland and wild roses, Camrose is a rural gem tucked away southeast of Edmonton. Camrose is home to multiple public parks, perfect for quiet walks and picnic lunches. Mirror Lake Park is located in the heart of the city, attracting nature lovers with the lure of swans swimming along the calm water. For those with a love of alpine sports, Camrose is home to the Camrose Ski Club, a training facility for biathlon, luge and cross-country skiing. Those who prefer downhill skiing can visit nearby Aspen Heights Ski & Snowboarding Area, a popular family destination. During the warmer summer months, a variety of recreational opportunities abound. The Camrose Golf Course, designed in 1929, attracts golfers with its captivating park setting and challenging pin placement. Those eager to explore Camrose’s history can visit the Camrose and District Centennial Museum, where artifacts from the town’s early days have been preserved and put on display.