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.
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.
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.
- Oriental Supermarket Tour - Tuesday 19 November 2019 at 12:00 hrs
- Cooking Workshop: Indonesian Cuisine - Tuesday 26 November 2019 at 10:00 hrs
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!
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A1/A2) - Friday 22 November 2019 at 13:00 hrs
- English Conversation Fun - Monday 25 November 2019 at 11:30 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) - Monday 25 November 2019 at 12:45 hrs
- Free consultations for Dutch and English language courses - Wednesday 27 November 2019 at 09:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A1/A2) - Friday 29 November 2019 at 13:00 hrs
- English Conversation Fun - Monday 2 December 2019 at 11:30 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) - Monday 2 December 2019 at 12:45 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A1/A2) - Friday 6 December 2019 at 13:00 hrs
- English Conversation Fun - Monday 9 December 2019 at 11:30 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) - Monday 9 December 2019 at 12:45 hrs
- Free consultations for Dutch and English language courses - Wednesday 11 December 2019 at 09:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A1/A2) - Friday 13 December 2019 at 13:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun (A2/B1-B2) - Monday 16 December 2019 at 12:45 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 andSunday 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.
- Parents Coffee Morning - Friday 22 November 2019 at 10:00 hrs
- International Coffee Morning - Friday 29 November 2019 at 10:00 hrs
- Book Club Boppe / Leeuwarden - Friday 29 November 2019 at 19:30 hrs
- Sunday Coffee Social (Leeuwarden) - Sunday 1 December 2019 at 13:00 hrs
- Parents Coffee Morning - Friday 6 December 2019 at 10:00 hrs
- International Coffee Morning - Friday 13 December 2019 at 10:00 hrs
- Coffee Morning in Leeuwarden - Friday 13 December 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 November 2019 at 10:00 hrs
- Running Club - Saturday 30 November 2019 at 10:00 hrs
- Running Club - Saturday 7 December 2019 at 10:00 hrs
- Running Club - Saturday 14 December 2019 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.
- Latin Music Dance - Monday 18 November 2019 at 16:30 hrs
- Yoga Mornings - Tuesday 19 November 2019 at 09:30 hrs
- Small-Group Personal Training - Thursday 21 November 2019 at 13:00 hrs
- Latin Music Dance - Monday 2 December 2019 at 16:30 hrs
- Yoga Mornings - Tuesday 3 December 2019 at 09:30 hrs
- Yoga Mornings - Thursday 12 December 2019 at 09:30 hrs
- Latin Music Dance - Monday 16 December 2019 at 16:30 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.
- International Welcome Day - Friesland - Monday 18 November 2019 at 16:30 hrs
- Senior Staffing|Recruit a Student - Wednesday 20 November 2019 at 10:00 hrs
- Paping belastingadvies Free Tax Consultation - Monday 25 November 2019 at 13:00 hrs
- Meditation - Monday 25 November 2019 at 16:30 hrs
- Senior Staffing|Recruit a Student - Wednesday 27 November 2019 at 10:00 hrs
- Be Extraordinary NOW! - Friday 29 November 2019 at 13:00 hrs
- Beauty Workshop: Christmas Nails - Monday 9 December 2019 at 12:00 hrs
- Meditation - Monday 9 December 2019 at 16:30 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.

"I moved to Leeuwarden in 2013. It was difficult to find an international group in this area. A friend recommended Connect International, and I have been attending the Coffee Morning every two weeks, in Groningen. I have been fortunate to make new friends, and learn about different events and worshops, organised by Connect. They are a very friendly and welcoming group."

Nicki Lashley (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)

“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)

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 & Fitness

Writer’s Circle

Other Events

Contact Connect