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 | Online - Monday 30 November 2020 at 11:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) | Online - Monday 30 November 2020 at 12:45 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun levels A2-B1 ONLINE - Tuesday 1 December 2020 at 10:30 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun, level A1 | Online - Thursday 3 December 2020 at 10:30 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) | Online - Monday 7 December 2020 at 15:45 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun, level A1 | Online - Thursday 10 December 2020 at 10:30 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) | Online - Monday 14 December 2020 at 12:45 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun, level A1 | Online - Thursday 17 December 2020 at 10:30 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) | Online - Monday 11 January 2021 at 15:45 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) | Online - Monday 18 January 2021 at 12:45 hrs
- English Conversation Fun | Online - Monday 25 January 2021 at 11:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) | Online - Monday 25 January 2021 at 15:45 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 | Online - Monday 30 November 2020 at 18:00 hrs
- Yoga Mornings | Online - Tuesday 8 December 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!
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.
- New! Music Talent Evening -Online Concert - Friday 27 November 2020 at 19:00 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 - 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.
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 - Sunday 29 November 2020 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club | Leeuwarden - Sunday 29 November 2020 at 16:00 hrs
- Walking Club | Groningen - Sunday 6 December 2020 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club | Leeuwarden - Sunday 6 December 2020 at 16:00 hrs
- Walking Club | Groningen - Sunday 13 December 2020 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club | Leeuwarden - Sunday 13 December 2020 at 16:00 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.
- Online Housing Webinar with Expat Mortgages | Online - Thursday 3 December 2020 at 17:15 hrs
- IWCN Webinar: To Rent or to Buy a House? - Thursday 3 December 2020 at 19:00 hrs
- Online Housing Webinar with Expat Mortgages | Online - Wednesday 9 December 2020 at 17:15 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.

“I came to live here in Leeuwarden approximately 2 years ago. I had heard about Connect International while I was following a Dutch language course at Groningen University. I made use of the excellent helpdesk at the Groningen office. As a British National I wanted to clarify some issues regarding my status post Brexit!. Within hours the Connect office had contacted the Dutch Immigration Office and reassured me about my situation. Sadly because I live in Leeuwarden I did not make use of the social elements of Connect which took place mainly in Groningen. So when I learned about the Leeuwarden branch I immediately began attending the Friday and Sunday coffee mornings. These provide a great opportunity to meet other newcomers and to share information and the occasional worry. Everyone is made to feel welcome and discussions range free and wide. I have got to know a range of interesting and friendly people from all over the world, via Connect International Leeuwarden. I have also learnt about many of the social and cultural activities taking place in this great town. If you have recently come to live in Friesland, I can recommend Connect International Leeuwarden as a terrific means of quickly settling in and getting to know a range of people who can offer support and advice.”

Alan Herbert (UK)

“Since I came to the Netherlands over a year ago, Connect International has helped me a lot. It is very hard being a newcomer in a foreign country. I remember myself lonely and borderline depressed before I started to attend Connect events and socialize there. I got to know my first friends in the Netherlands and it was such a relief. I realized that I was not alone, there were many people who had been in the same situation and it was normal to experience all this. Besides the fun, I learned some basic information about life in this country. How to travel by train and pay less, how to deal with Dutch health care system, how to understand taxes, etc. My first steps in Dutch language were made in ‘Dutch Conversation Fun’ club. Thanks to Janny, I could learn and improve my Dutch. It was also a nice way to spend an afternoon in a friendly atmosphere. There were plenty of exciting events organized by Connect, such as the Mystery Tour: Discover the secrets of Groningen, Culinary Workshops, and many more international gatherings. All these made my time much more enjoyable. I am very grateful to Connect International for making me feel welcome in a new country. I am sure that the friends I made here will be my friends for life no matter where we end up.”

Nina Tseven (Belarus)

"My husband and I moved to Groningen in the beginning of September 2016. International Welcome Center North was one of the first places we went to get help with all the paperwork and settling-in. We became members of Connect International and now we get a weekly newsletter by e-mail about the next week's events in the area. I have attended Culinary Club and Coffee Morning and have met many new friends. I've met people in the same situation: being in a new country without knowing anyone. I've found the events of Connect International really helpful to meet new people and to try something different."

Outi Heikka (Finland)

"My husband and I came to Groningen two years ago for his studies. At first, I had absolutely no acquaintance here. I felt lost, not knowing where to go, who to meet, nor what to do. I first found out about the Connect through the Coffee Morning. Everyone seemed very nice and welcoming. They all understood what I was going through. Since being expats themselves, most of them also went through this process when they arrived here. Then I started to join other workshops, such as culinary workshop, beauty workshop, etc. I learned many different cultures and I also dare to say that I met most wonderful bunch of friends here at Connect. The IWCN and Connect have helped me through my difficult times being a lost expat, and helped me settle down and have a feeling of ‘home’ here in Groningen."

Elly Song (South Korea)

Connect Events & Interest Clubs

Connect members sharing common interests

Language Skills

Sports & Fitness

Running Club

Meet & Greet Gatherings

Book Club

Meditation

Walking Club

Culinary Connect Club

Arts & Crafts Club

Dutch Culture Workshops

Expat Parents Groups

Writer’s Circle

Other Events

Contact Connect