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 & 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.
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: The most fun we ever had (Groningen) - Saturday 15 August 2020 at 20:00 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.
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.
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 and Leeuwarden:
- Groningen: Beginners Level A1/A2: Fridays (13:00 - 14:00 hrs). This group helps you get over the language barrier in an attempt to start speaking Dutch in the Netherlands.
- Groningen: Intermediate Level A2/B1-B2: Mondays (12:45 - 13:45 hrs). 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.
- Leewuarden: Beginners Level A1 and Intermediate Level A2/B1-B2: Thursdays (19:30 - 20:30). Would like some more practice to feel comfortable speaking it in all kinds of situations? Then join us in Leeuwarden for our new Let’s Talk Dutch conversation group.
We are also starting a Russian Conversation Group! Do you have a basic knowledge of Russian (A1/A2-B1) and feel like you need the practice to be more comfortable speaking in different situations? The come join our group!

Please sign up for the individual days that you plan on attending!
- English Conversation Fun in the Park (Groningen) - Monday 6 July 2020 at 12:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun ONLINE (level A1) - Thursday 9 July 2020 at 10:30 hrs
- English Conversation Fun in the Park (Groningen) - Thursday 9 July 2020 at 12:00 hrs
- English Conversation Fun in the Park (Groningen) - Monday 13 July 2020 at 12:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun ONLINE (level A1) - Thursday 16 July 2020 at 10:30 hrs
- English Conversation Fun in a Park (Groningen) - Thursday 16 July 2020 at 12:00 hrs
- English Conversation Fun in the Park (Groningen) - Monday 20 July 2020 at 12:00 hrs
- English Conversation Fun in the Park (Groningen) - Thursday 23 July 2020 at 12:00 hrs
- English Conversation Fun in the Park (Groningen) - Monday 27 July 2020 at 12:00 hrs
- English Conversation Fun in the Park (Groningen) - Thursday 30 July 2020 at 12:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun ONLINE (level A1) - Thursday 13 August 2020 at 10:30 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun ONLINE (level A1) - Thursday 20 August 2020 at 10:30 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun ONLINE (level A1) - Thursday 27 August 2020 at 10:30 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.
- Book Club Boppe (Leeuwarden) - Friday 17 July 2020 at 20:00 hrs
- Women's Meditation (Leeuwarden) - Thursday 30 July 2020 at 19:45 hrs
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.
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 15 August 2020 at 10:00 hrs
- Running Club (Groningen) - Saturday 22 August 2020 at 10:00 hrs
- Running Club (Groningen) - Saturday 29 August 2020 at 10:00 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.
- New! Vinyasa Yoga in the Park (Groningen) - Monday 6 July 2020 at 18:00 hrs
- Meditation ONLINE - Wednesday 8 July 2020 at 20:00 hrs
- New! Vinyasa Yoga in the Park (Groningen) - Monday 13 July 2020 at 18:00 hrs
- Yoga Mornings (face-to-face, Groningen) - Tuesday 14 July 2020 at 09:30 hrs
- New! Vinyasa Yoga in the Park (Groningen) - Monday 20 July 2020 at 18:00 hrs
- Meditation ONLINE - Wednesday 22 July 2020 at 20:00 hrs
- New! Vinyasa Yoga in the Park (Groningen) - Monday 27 July 2020 at 18:00 hrs
- Yoga Mornings (face-to-face, Groningen) - Tuesday 28 July 2020 at 09:30 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.
- Women's Meditation (Leeuwarden) - Thursday 16 July 2020 at 19:45 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.

“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)

“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)

"There I was, sat in my Dutch house, after having fetched my children from their Dutch school, waiting for my Dutch husband to come home, feeling very integrated. And yet... Wouldn’t it be lovely to meet some other expats, speak English again, not feel so foreign, even just now and then? A quick internet search led me straight to Connect International. After a few false starts, I made it to a Connect Coffee Morning in Groningen. I received a warm welcome and was delighted to hear there was a Book Club, right here on my doorstep! We discuss the books in English, the discussions can become lively and are always interesting, and it is a good place to share our expat experiences too."

Alexandra van den Doel (UK)

"Connect International Groningen really helped me feel at home in the Netherlands. The Culinary Connect class was the first thing I did in Groningen...2 days after I arrived! I also attended the coffee morning every 2 weeks. I met my best friends at Connect coffee! Another favorite activity is the Film Club. I am able to see English movies in English and it makes me feel connected to home! I have also participated in some of the specialty events...German dinner and beer tasting and wine and cheese nights! Connect is such an easy way to make friends, learn more about Groningen, stay active, and go to some really cool places I would have never known about otherwise! Where else can you go and be surrounded by wonderful people from all over the world?"

Stacia Gorden (USA)

Connect Events & Interest Clubs

Connect members sharing common interests

Arts & Crafts Club

Book Club

Culinary Connect Club

Dutch Culture Workshops

Language Skills

Meet & Greet Gatherings

Expat Parents Groups

Running Club

Sports & Fitness

Writer’s Circle

Other Events

Contact Connect