# Online Schooling Kits Drexel University's Welcome Kit Makes Distance Students Feel Included By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2015-07-23 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/welcome-kit References: [thedieline](http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2015/7/21/drexel-university-online-accepted-students-kit) & [drexel.edu](http://drexel.edu/) A huge part of being accepted into a post-secondary schooling institution is receiving that welcome kit and knowing you'll be part of a great community of students. However, students who pursue [distance education online](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/offline-learning-solution) don't even come into contact with a physical campus, let alone other students. In order to make its online students feel welcome, Drexel University created a special [welcome package](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rokuthemed-van). Much of the detailing on the box plays up features like dragon scales from the school's mascot, Mario the Magnificent Dragon. On the inside, the box is filled with a letter, a field guide, stickers and other school memorabilia to make online students feel like they are a part of the community. As Drexel University puts it, "The welcome kit was positioned as a field guide that would help students through their transition into becoming an actual dragon as they embark on a journey to further their education." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 26% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Distance Education Welcome Kits:** Schools can create customized welcome kits for online/distance students to help them feel welcomed and included. - **Personalized Commemorative Packages:** New students can receive a personalized welcome package that includes memorabilia such as stickers and school supplies. - **Creative Branding Opportunities:** Schools can creatively brand welcome kits with mascots or other school-related designs and offer them to both online and traditional students. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Education:** Colleges and universities can offer customized welcome packages to distance education students to help them feel more connected and included in the school community. - **E-commerce:** Welcome kits for online students can be sold through e-commerce channels and extend beyond education to other industries with remote participants. - **Brand and Marketing:** Companies and organizations can use branded welcome kits as part of their marketing and branding strategies to welcome and connect with new customers or members. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Personalized Learning Desks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/d2l.md) - [Welcome Gift Design Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/earths-hatch-kit.md) - [Savory College Student Packs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kraft-mac-cheese-college-care-pack.md) - [Student Skincare Packs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/student-skincare.md) - [At-Home Classroom Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/berrylikejumbo.md) - [Student-Focused Taco Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sos-kit.md) - [Portable STEM Education Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/augmented-haptics-grasp-it.md) - [College Gaming Discounts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/netease-games.md) - [Elevated Collegiate Streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-campus-collection.md)