Connect Events & Interest Clubs

Connect members sharing common interests

All Interest Clubs began as ideas of our members who wanted to meet like-minded people to share their common interests and passions. All the Clubs meet on a regular basis (approximately once a month) at various venues. In order to join one or more Clubs one has to be a member of Connect International.

• Language Skills

  English Conversation Fun: For our Connect members who are not so familiar to English, we offer English conversation for level A1 to B1. This is meant for expats and their partners whose native language is not English nor Dutch. This is your chance to practice your English to gain confidence in speaking English with other internationals. 

  Dutch Conversation Fun: For those Connect members who have already taken some Dutch lessons, we also have several groups, in Groningen, Leeuwarden and online.

  Please sign up for the individual days that you plan on attending!

  • English Conversation Fun | Groningen - Monday 21 September 2020 at 11:00 hrs
  • Dutch Conversation Fun, level A1 | ONLINE - Thursday 24 September 2020 at 10:30 hrs
  • New! Spanish Conversation Fun - Friday 25 September 2020 at 16:00 hrs
  • English Conversation Fun | Groningen - Monday 28 September 2020 at 11:00 hrs
  • Linkedin for Job Searching - Webinar - Wednesday 30 September 2020 at 17:30 hrs
  • Dutch Conversation Fun, level A1 | ONLINE - Thursday 1 October 2020 at 10:30 hrs
  • English Conversation Fun | Groningen - Monday 5 October 2020 at 11:00 hrs
  • Dutch Conversation Fun, level A1 | ONLINE - Thursday 8 October 2020 at 10:30 hrs
  • English Conversation Fun | Groningen - Monday 12 October 2020 at 11:00 hrs
  • Dutch Conversation Fun, level A1 | ONLINE - Thursday 15 October 2020 at 10:30 hrs
  • English Conversation Fun | Groningen - Monday 19 October 2020 at 11:00 hrs
  • Dutch Conversation Fun, level A1 | ONLINE - Thursday 22 October 2020 at 10:30 hrs
  • English Conversation Fun | Groningen - Monday 26 October 2020 at 11:00 hrs
  • Dutch Conversation Fun, level A1 | ONLINE - Thursday 29 October 2020 at 10:30 hrs

• Sports & Fitness

  The Sports Club meets when there are interesting games in the region to watch.

  Sometimes, watching sports by yourself is just not enough! You want to cheer and have someone else to share the moment with. With Connect Sports Club, we invite you to go watch sports games, such as basketball and volleyball, together with other members. 

  For the Fitness Club, one of our members, Lucia, offers Ashtanga Yoga every other Tuesday morning to build core strength and to tone the body. The location of the session will be announced to the participants one day in advance via email.

   

  • Vinyasa Yoga in the Park | Groningen - Monday 21 September 2020 at 18:00 hrs
  • Yoga Mornings | Groningen - Tuesday 22 September 2020 at 09:30 hrs
  • Vinyasa Yoga in the Park | Groningen - Monday 28 September 2020 at 18:00 hrs
  • Yoga Mornings | Groningen - Tuesday 6 October 2020 at 09:30 hrs
  • Yoga Mornings | Groningen - Tuesday 20 October 2020 at 09:30 hrs

• Running Club

  The Running Club meets once a week in Groningen Noorderplantsoen Park to jog and run together. It is for all the running/jogging enthusiasts, regardless of their level in running. The Running Club will enable you to improve your fitness and self-confidence within a supportive and empowering team environment, so join in and meet others like you!

  • Running Club | Groningen - Saturday 26 September 2020 at 09:30 hrs
  • Running Club | Groningen - Saturday 3 October 2020 at 09:30 hrs
  • Running Club | Groningen - Saturday 10 October 2020 at 09:30 hrs
  • Running Club | Groningen - Saturday 17 October 2020 at 09:30 hrs
  • Running Club | Groningen - Saturday 24 October 2020 at 09:30 hrs
  • Running Club | Groningen - Saturday 31 October 2020 at 09:30 hrs

• Meet & Greet Gatherings

  Connect International organizes various Meet & Greet gatherings in Groningen and Leeuwarden. These include International Coffee Mornings, Parents Coffee Mornings, International Pub Nights, Walk & Talk, Baby Walk & Talk, Sunday Brunch and Sunday Afternoon Socials. 

  These events have identical goals: to see old friends and to welcome newcomers, to meet other Connect members and to get to know the Connect team, to share ideas and experiences and just to have a good time over a drink, a meal. or a stroll.

  Everyone is welcome to attend an event to check it out; your cost is whatever you choose to spend on your consumptions or the cost of the event. If you enjoy it, please sign up to become a member so you can continue to enjoy the events.

  Check the events calendar on the website for the exact locations, date, and time.
  To find us there just look for the “Connect International” sign at one of the tables.

  • Coffee Morning | Leeuwarden - Friday 25 September 2020 at 10:30 hrs

• Book Club

  The Book Club comes together once a month ot two at one of the members’ houses (in or nearby) to discuss a book that has been chosen in advance. There is always a lively discussion, lots of laughter and “gezelligheid”. Every December, the Book Club in Groningen organizes a Christmas potluck dinner to celebrate another year spent together.

  • Book Club | Groningen - Monday 12 October 2020 at 20:00 hrs
  • Book Club | Groningen - Tuesday 10 November 2020 at 20:00 hrs
  • Book Club | Groningen - Wednesday 9 December 2020 at 20:00 hrs
  • Book Club | Groningen - Thursday 14 January 2021 at 20:00 hrs
  • Book Club | Groningen - Monday 8 February 2021 at 20:00 hrs
  • Book Club | Groningen - Tuesday 9 March 2021 at 20:00 hrs
  • Book Club | Groningen - Wednesday 14 April 2021 at 20:00 hrs
  • Book Club | Groningen - Thursday 13 May 2021 at 20:00 hrs
  • Book Club | Groningen - Monday 14 June 2021 at 20:00 hrs
  • Book Club | Groningen - Tuesday 13 July 2021 at 20:00 hrs

• Meditation

  In these moments of rapid and unexpected changes in our usual routines, navigating the different emotions after listening to the news, feeling the social net in stress, exploring in uncertainty what are the wise decisions to make, trying to discern between the weaves of information and also taking care of our health; It is worth it to take moments of pause, calm down, focus, connect with a part of us that gives us broader possibilities to see and feel the reality. 

  • Women's Guided Meditation | Leeuwarden - Thursday 1 October 2020 at 19:30 hrs
  • Women's Guided Meditation | Leeuwarden - Thursday 15 October 2020 at 19:30 hrs

• Walking Club

  Groningen

  We invite you to be part of our Walking Club in Groningen, every Wednesday at 19:30 hrs. for 1-1,5 hours.  Accompanied by our volunteer we will walk through different parks and green areas of Groningen (each time in a different place).

  Leeuwarden 

  We will be walking on Wednesdays at Oldehove, or other nearby parks. We will meet at 19:45 and end around 21:00, plan on 45 minutes of walking each night. 

  • Walking Club | Groningen - Wednesday 23 September 2020 at 19:30 hrs
  • Walking Club | Leeuwarden - Wednesday 23 September 2020 at 19:30 hrs
  • Walking Club | Groningen - Wednesday 30 September 2020 at 19:30 hrs
  • Walking Club | Leeuwarden - Wednesday 30 September 2020 at 19:30 hrs
  • Walking Club | Groningen - Wednesday 7 October 2020 at 19:30 hrs
  • Walking Club | Leeuwarden - Wednesday 7 October 2020 at 19:30 hrs
  • Walking Club | Groningen - Wednesday 14 October 2020 at 19:30 hrs
  • Walking Club | Leeuwarden - Wednesday 14 October 2020 at 19:30 hrs
  • Walking Club | Groningen - Wednesday 21 October 2020 at 19:30 hrs
  • Walking Club | Groningen - Wednesday 28 October 2020 at 19:30 hrs

• Culinary Connect Club

  The Culinary Connect Club meets once a month in Roden, in the home of Chef Rubina, the Club Coordinator. Rubinecomes up with a theme and menu for every meeting and either cooks herself or invites a guest “chef” to her kitchen.

• Arts & Crafts Club

  Offering various art, crafts and creative workshops, We have organise regular events aswell as special events. The idea is to spend some hours together to express with your hands what you have in your mind around a cup of tea or coffee, and of course, meet new friends.

• Dutch Culture Workshops

  Connect International also has a selection of unique events that are meant to help expats integrate into the Dutch society as quickly as possible. We have series of workshops such as Easy Dutch Cafe on the Dutch culture, communication and customs. What are Dutch manners? What do Dutch eat? Where do they shop? You can get your answer through our Dutch Culture Workshops.

• Expat Parents Groups

  From parent coffee mornings, kids morning arts and crafts sessions. The Connecting Parents clubs can help you find other expat parents in your area, and play friends for your children.

• Writer’s Circle

  The Writer’s Circle was created as a follow-up of the 10-weeks long course “Write your life stories” by Jo Parfitt that was offered to Connect International members in 2011. Since then the club meets approximately once every 1.5 months to share their writing projects, to give each other feedback and tips. As a result of the support, inspiration and creative atmosphere in the group, some of its members made their dream come true and have published their writings.

• Other Events

  Once in a while we organize other events, for example, workshops for personal and professional development; excursions and city trips; sports and games related events; picnics and potlucks; Ladies’ Night; family days and many more. To organize such special events, we need to hear about your needs and wants, so please let us know via events@connect-int.org what kind of events you are missing to make your social life complete away from home.

  • Adapting to a New Life in a New Country - Tuesday 22 September 2020 at 17:30 hrs
  • Online Housing Webinar with Expat Mortgages | ONLINE - Wednesday 23 September 2020 at 17:15 hrs
  • Book Club Boppe | Leeuwarden - Friday 25 September 2020 at 19:30 hrs
  • Trip to Drenthe! Excursion to Emmendennen - Sunday 27 September 2020 at 11:00 hrs
  • Adapting to a New Life in a New Country - Tuesday 29 September 2020 at 17:30 hrs
  • Adapting to a New Life in a New Country - Tuesday 6 October 2020 at 17:30 hrs
  • Adapting to a New Life in a New Country - Tuesday 20 October 2020 at 17:30 hrs
  • Adapting to a New Life in a New Country - Tuesday 27 October 2020 at 17:30 hrs

If you have an idea for a new Connect Group, we'd like to hear from you!

If interested in meeting up with one of the groups or for a new group, please send an email to events@connect-int.org. The coordinator of the group will be in touch with you.