Students gain international experience at game industry hackathon in Gdańsk

Organised as a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), the mobility combined an online preparation phase starting on March 17 with an on-site experience in Gdańsk, Poland, from March 23 to 27. The programme introduced a hackathon format exploring global trends, product innovation, and development opportunities in board games and related products linked to the Polish company Trefl (family-owned jigsaw puzzle, board game and toy manufacturing and distributing company).

During the week, students from Poland, Finland, Latvia, and Germany participated in study visits, expert lectures, and workshops. A key highlight was a visit to Trefl, where participants explored the full game production process from concept to final product, and later applied this knowledge by developing their own board game ideas in international teams.

Reflecting on the experience, SSE Riga student Milda Grambaite said: “It was such an insightful experience — visiting Trefl and seeing how games are made from start to finish really brought the whole process to life. We especially enjoyed creating our own game, where we got to mix ideas and perspectives with students from different cultures, which made the whole experience even more interesting.”

Another SSE Riga student, Dāvids Rimkus, emphasised the value of teamwork: “The experience was both challenging and rewarding, as I worked with a diverse team to develop a unique board game idea targeted at millennials. Collaborating with people from different backgrounds helped broaden my perspective. Beyond the project, I was impressed by the city itself as Gdańsk has a unique charm, with its rich history and stunning architecture. Overall, the trip combined learning, teamwork, and cultural exploration in a truly unforgettable way.”

The programme provided students with practical, real-world experience while strengthening international collaboration. This mobility was organised as a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) within the Erasmus+ framework.