“The Breakout Boxes training course was a very interesting and new experience for me, because I had never played or created any sort of escape game before the project.
With the guidance of our professional facilitators, we went through all of the mechanics and logic behind escape boxes and how to implement those in workshops, events and/or classrooms.
My biggest learning point was the connection between the learning objectives and actually planting the knowledge you want the player to receive, into the box.
This can sound quite simple at first glance – but oh boy, I must admit, I was quite overwhelmed with this task. However, with the help from the facilitators and support of the teammates, we managed to prove our box building skills at the “Breakout Box” event held in the lovely city of Brno.
Another “Ah-moment” for me was the importance of design. Since I’m an artist myself, it was very refreshing to revise all the details of how a good design can make the player be even more invested in the game.
During this training course I managed to dive deeper into the wondrous world of escape boxes(/games) and build my own box with a team of international participants. Throughout the whole activity, I made friends from different countries and shared my experiences with others.
I’ll definitely take the newly obtained skills and knowledge into my own professional field, since I’d love to facilitate my own sessions or organize international youth exchanges with like-minded people in the future.“
Emilia Sabirova
“Last March I was a participant in the training course “Breakout Boxes” which took place near Brno, in the Czech Republic. The project’s main focus was the use, mechanics and building process of educational escape boxes, and it was an amazing experience!
Even though I have been in many Erasmus+ training courses and youth exchanges before, this one felt really special.
Usually in training courses there is so much to do in a short timeframe that you don’t manage to get closer to the people you are there with, but here it didn’t feel like that at all. When I left it was as if I had to leave my close family. We managed to do the work, but also to connect deeply in a very packed schedule, which I find to be incredible.
Another wonderful thing about the project was that this was the first time I had the chance to work with so many like-minded individuals. I had no idea that there are so many people who are also as passionate and interested in the topics of game-based learning and non-formal education as I am. Before participating in the project it felt like only a few had these interests, and I’m glad to have been proved wrong!
In conclusion, I am thankful to have been given this opportunity and I would recommend it to absolutely everyone! These few days were at the very top of my life experiences so far.”
Janno Kivi