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info@connect-int.org
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!
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny FOR BEGINNERS - Wednesday 8 February 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny LEVEL B1+ - Wednesday 8 February 2023 at 15:00 hrs
- Cabinet of Curiosities (a series of five group sessions) - Friday 10 February 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny FOR BEGINNERS - Wednesday 15 February 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny LEVEL B1+ - Wednesday 15 February 2023 at 15:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation - Lekker Kletsen. Level A2 - Thursday 16 February 2023 at 17:30 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny FOR BEGINNERS - Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny LEVEL B1+ - Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 15:00 hrs
- Cabinet of Curiosities (a series of five group sessions) - Friday 24 February 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny FOR BEGINNERS - Wednesday 1 March 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny LEVEL B1+ - Wednesday 1 March 2023 at 15:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation - Lekker Kletsen. Level A2 - Thursday 2 March 2023 at 17:30 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny FOR BEGINNERS - Wednesday 8 March 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny LEVEL B1+ - Wednesday 8 March 2023 at 15:00 hrs
- Cabinet of Curiosities (a series of five group sessions) - Friday 10 March 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny FOR BEGINNERS - Wednesday 15 March 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny LEVEL B1+ - Wednesday 15 March 2023 at 15:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny FOR BEGINNERS - Wednesday 22 March 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny LEVEL B1+ - Wednesday 22 March 2023 at 15:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny FOR BEGINNERS - Wednesday 29 March 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Dutch Conversation Fun with Janny LEVEL B1+ - Wednesday 29 March 2023 at 15:00 hrs
- Cabinet of Curiosities (a series of five group sessions) - Friday 31 March 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Cabinet of Curiosities (a series of five group sessions) - Friday 14 April 2023 at 00:00 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!
Connect Running Club members in Groningen meet privately and run every Saturday morning in the Noorderplantsoen park in compliance with the current Covid-19 regulations. If you wish to become the Connect Running Club member, please send an email to events@connect-int.org with your name and WhatsApp number. The Connect Running Club coordinator in Groningen will add you the WhatsApp group.
- Running Club Friesland - Sunday 5 February 2023 at 10:30 hrs
- Running Club Friesland - Sunday 12 February 2023 at 10:30 hrs
- Running Club Friesland - Sunday 19 February 2023 at 10:30 hrs
- Running Club Friesland - Sunday 26 February 2023 at 10:30 hrs
Trips and Tours
Do you like to travel and are looking for like-minded people? Join our trips and tours Dutch towns, villages and nature reserves.
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.- International Coffee Morning in Groningen - Friday 10 February 2023 at 10:30 hrs
- International Coffee Morning in Groningen - Thursday 23 February 2023 at 10:30 hrs
- Leeuwarden Pub Evening - Friday 24 February 2023 at 20:00 hrs
- Saturday Discoveries in Groningen - Saturday 4 March 2023 at 13:00 hrs
- Saturday Discoveries in Groningen - Saturday 1 April 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Saturday Discoveries in Groningen - Saturday 13 May 2023 at 13:00 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 in Groningen - Wednesday 15 February 2023 at 20:00 hrs
- Book Club in Groningen - Thursday 16 March 2023 at 20:00 hrs
- Book Club in Groningen - Monday 17 April 2023 at 20:00 hrs
- Book Club in Groningen - Tuesday 16 May 2023 at 20:00 hrs
- Book Club in Groningen - Wednesday 14 June 2023 at 20:00 hrs
- Book Club in Groningen - Thursday 13 July 2023 at 20:00 hrs
- Book Club in Groningen - Monday 18 September 2023 at 20:00 hrs
- Book Club in Groningen - Tuesday 17 October 2023 at 20:00 hrs
- Book Club in Groningen - Wednesday 15 November 2023 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 Sunday at 14:00 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 19:00, plan on 45 minutes of walking each night.
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 5 February 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 12 February 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 26 February 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 5 March 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 12 March 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 19 March 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 26 March 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 2 April 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 9 April 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 30 April 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 7 May 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 14 May 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 21 May 2023 at 14:00 hrs
- Walking Club in Groningen - Sunday 28 May 2023 at 14:00 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.
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.
Arts & Crafts
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 Club
Welcome to the new Writer’s Club created for Connect International members who love writing in English, anything from poetry and plays to blogs, short stories and novels. Are you writing for publication or just for your own pleasure? Your goal doesn’t matter, as long as you are committed to writing and want to share your work with other writers. Your level of experience doesn’t matter either. All writers are welcome, from absolute beginners to published authors. Please note, however, this club is not offering a writing course. There is no writing teacher involved. We are simply providing a safe, supportive space where every six weeks or so you can discuss your work-in-progress with fellow writers and give and receive constructive feedback. Does this sound like what you are looking for? Then please send an email to events@connect-int.org. The coordinator of the group will be in touch with you. Or, join us at the opening meeting of the Writer’s Club.
- Writers' Club in Groningen - Friday 24 February 2023 at 16:15 hrs
- Writers' Club in Groningen - Friday 31 March 2023 at 16:15 hrs
- Writers' Club in Groningen - Friday 28 April 2023 at 16:15 hrs
- Writers' Club in Groningen - Friday 26 May 2023 at 16:15 hrs
- Writers' Club in Groningen - Friday 30 June 2023 at 16:15 hrs
- Writers' Club in Groningen - Friday 29 September 2023 at 16:15 hrs
- Writers' Club in Groningen - Friday 27 October 2023 at 16:15 hrs
- Writers' Club in Groningen - Friday 24 November 2023 at 16:15 hrs
Other Connect 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.
Non Connect Events
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.
