Studies have begun again at Mohawk College and Student Life is trying to create a sense of belonging for students whether they have classes on campus or not. Since pandemic restrictions mean there won’t be games and activities on campus, students could instead register to receive one of the Student Welcome Packages.
“Part of the fun of orientation is when students come and we give out lots of swag, lots of Mohawk stuff, freebies, whether it be food or water bottles or pens, usually students can walk away with a few different things,” Andrea Brienesse, events co-ordinator at Student Life said. “We tried to think of what would be a nice take away as a Mohawk student when you’re starting or just returning.”
The Welcome Package includes Mohawk swag, digital downloads for students to use and the Hamilton Passport. The Passport is a PDF that the Learning and Culture Centre curated and features a checklist of different places in the city to visit.
“When Brittany Lauton, the Student Life manager, reached out to me to talk about the welcome package idea for fall students, the passport just came to my mind,” Melina Trindade, manager of international and exchange students, said. “When I first saw the passport, I fell in love.”
The passport is divided into different sections such as Mall Rat, Coffee Connoisseur, Tempting Treats and Park Poetry. Student Life is encouraging students to post on social media using the hashtag #mohawklcc (for Mohawk’s Learning and Culture Centre) when they reach any of the locations listed on the passport.
“I loved the idea of giving that Hamilton experience to students when they are coming to Mohawk,” Trindade said.
More than 5,500 students registered to receive the package and they are being shipped far and wide, not just within Ontario or Canada.
“We have a lot of students that are studying from India, the Philippines, Columbia, Sri Lanka – all different countries all over the world,” Brienesse said. “I think getting something physical in hand helps to make you feel a part of that Mohawk community. I hope that’s what students will feel when they receive their package.”
While the packages are no longer available, Student Life has plenty of activities coming up for students to participate in. Students can find upcoming activities on the Student Life page by clicking here.
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