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.

Arts Club
The Arts Club meets on about once a month in Groningen city to draw, paint and/or sculpt something together in a friendly international atmosphere. 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. Sometimes the Club goes on an excursion together when the weather is nice.
Book Club
The Book Club comes together once a month at one of the members’ houses (in or nearby Groningen) 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 organizes a Christmas potluck dinner to celebrate another year spent together.
- Book Club: Stay With Me - Thursday 14 March 2019 at 20:00 hrs
- Book Club: Vanity Fair - Monday 8 April 2019 at 20:00 hrs
Crafts Club
The Crafts Club meets about once a month in Groningen city center to create something beautiful and unique with their hands. Our Crafts Club coordinators can guide you on using sewing machine, knitting, embroidery, and beading etc. Sometimes the Club comes together to visit a Fair, such as handmade/jewelry fair or a fabric fair to get inspired, to get stocked up on the materials and get informed about the latest crafting trends.
- Crafts Club: Scrapbook Workshop - Wednesday 27 February 2019 at 10:00 hrs
Culinary Connect Club
The Culinary Connect Club meets once a month in Winsum, in the home of Chef Adeline, the Club Coordinator. Adeline comes up with a theme and menu for every meeting and either cooks herself or invites a guest “chef” to her kitchen. As the meetings usually take place in the afternoon, Adeline always offers a possibility to have lunch before the workshop.
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 monthly Dutch Culture Workshops.
Language Skills
For our Connect members who are not so familiar to English, there is the English Conversation Fun (for level A1 to B1) on Wednesdays. 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.

We also have a group Dutch Conversation Fun (level B1 and above) on Wednesdays (space permitting). This group helps you get over the language barrier in an attempt to start speaking Dutch in the Netherlands. For this, you must have B1 level of above of the Dutch language. Bring up the topics that matter to you, ask your questions, get the common sayings explained, find out how to sound Dutch and experience how much easier speaking Dutch in public will become.
- Dutch Conversation Fun A1/A2 - Friday 22 February 2019 at 13:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) - Monday 25 February 2019 at 11:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun A1/A2 - Friday 1 March 2019 at 13:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) - Monday 4 March 2019 at 12:45 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun A1/A2 - Friday 8 March 2019 at 13:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) - Monday 11 March 2019 at 12:45 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun A1/A2 - Friday 15 March 2019 at 13:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) - Monday 18 March 2019 at 12:45 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun A1/A2 - Friday 22 March 2019 at 13:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) - Monday 25 March 2019 at 12:45 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun A1/A2 - Friday 29 March 2019 at 13:00 hrs
Meet & Greet Gatherings
About five times a month, Connect International organizes Meet & Greet gatherings in the city of Groningen, namely an International Coffee Morning (every two weeks on Friday morning), Parents Coffee Morning, an International Pub Night, and Guys’ Night. 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 or two. Everyone – whether member or not – is welcome; your cost is whatever you choose to spend on your consumptions or the cost of the event. 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.
- International Coffee Morning - Friday 22 February 2019 at 10:30 hrs
- Parents Coffee Morning - Friday 1 March 2019 at 10:30 hrs
- Sunday Coffee Social - Sunday 3 March 2019 at 00:00 hrs
- International Coffee Morning - Friday 8 March 2019 at 10:30 hrs
- Parent Coffee Morning (Leeuwarden) - Sunday 10 March 2019 at 10:00 hrs
- Parents Coffee Morning - Friday 15 March 2019 at 10:30 hrs
- Coffee Morning in Leeuwarden - Friday 15 March 2019 at 10:30 hrs
- International Coffee Morning - Friday 22 March 2019 at 10:30 hrs
- Parents Coffee Morning - Friday 29 March 2019 at 10:30 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 - Saturday 23 February 2019 at 11:00 hrs
- Running Club - Saturday 2 March 2019 at 11:00 hrs
- Running Club - Saturday 9 March 2019 at 11:00 hrs
- Running Club - Saturday 16 March 2019 at 11:00 hrs
- Running Club - Saturday 23 March 2019 at 11:00 hrs
- Running Club - Saturday 30 March 2019 at 11:00 hrs
Sports Club
The Sports Club meets about once a month when there are interesting games in the region.

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.
- Yoga Mornings - Tuesday 26 February 2019 at 10:00 hrs
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.

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 moved to the Netherlands in 2010 to join my Dutch boyfriend (now husband). After nearly two years of trying to integrate into Dutch society I hit a low point, feeling lonely and isolated. That was when I learnt about Connect International and signed up to be a member. I started by attending the Coffee Mornings, then volunteered to help set up the Crafts Club and gave a few workshops about building WordPress websites (as I work as a freelance web developer). Connect (and its members) gave me friendship and support at a time when I needed it, and I hope to do the same for others in a similar position."

Stephanie Fermor (UK)

"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)

“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)

Connect Events & Interest Clubs

Connect members sharing common interests

Arts Club

Book Club

Crafts Club

Culinary Connect Club

Dutch Culture Workshops

Language Skills

Meet & Greet Gatherings

Running Club

Sports Club

Writer’s Circle

Other Events

Contact Connect