Written by
The XWiki Team
Last week, the XWiki team in Iași ditched the screens and gathered to have fun at the Hype Arena, Mall Moldova.
No essays here on digital detox. You all know that stepping away from devices, moving our bodies, and connecting with others does wonders for our mental health. As simple as that.
Still, it’s worth repeating: trying something new helps us grow both personally and professionally (with a positive outcome on the company results). Whether it’s building confidence, picking up new skills, or just breaking the routine, shared offline experiences spark something powerful: a sense of community.
And that's exactly what we've experienced. We felt again how is it to have fun like a child, in a very diverse playground! From sport activities, special areas and arcade games, we tried to keep our balance and laughed a lot while shooting zombies. With good food to wrap it all up, we left the arena recharged, smiling, and already talking about the next time.
This is what part of our new colleagues who joined the XWiki team recently said about our gathering:
It was pretty fun, especially the laser tag. I think it was the most memorable part of the day. Personally, I find it much more ok to go out like that and have a specific activity than a simple get-together (because we see each other at the office a lot anyway). And at least from the perspective of someone who is new, it is much easier to get to know people this way than during work, even when we take a tea/coffee break. Overall: a lot of fun. Glad I went. – Iulian, Software Development Engineer Intern
I really enjoyed the Hype Arena activity! It was very energizing! I liked it that there were a lot of colleagues and that I had the chance to meet them in a different context, to compete with them and to enjoy this experience together. The activity demonstrated that we’re all just kids who want to have fun! ☀️😊 – Eleni, Documentation Engineer Intern
For me, the first outing with my colleagues was a very cool and unique experience, different from any other outing. A huge playground, a not very common place where you spend time with your colleagues, offered a little magic to office socialization, socialization that I really like. Team games and discussions while jumping on the trampoline with my colleagues made me feel like part of a community where I enjoy being. The blue elephant, won after participating in this first outing, will remind me every day, from my desk, how cool it was. – Rareș, Junior Software Development Engineer
Building our company culture
Facilitating a variety of casual activities in order to keep a positive organization culture is a goal that we always follow in the HR team. In 2024 alone, we've had:
- Hot Chocolate day at the office
- Flower crafting in a wooden box
- Team donation activity for teenage women
- Outdoor celebrations
We’ve relaxed, gotten creative, supported meaningful causes, and celebrated under the sun. This year, we’re focusing even more on physical activities and togetherness with colleagues and family alike. Next year? We'll see. But we’re already excited. 😊
