Connecting Worlds

Helping people adapt, integrate and develop

CONNECT INTERNATIONAL organizes various events and activities every month to give international residents a sense of community, to help them better understand the Dutch culture, to find their way in their daily lives in the northern Netherlands and simply to have fun.

The language spoken during all events is English.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Some face-to-face events are being held in accordance with the governmental measures enacted to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
However, many other events will still be held online. Click on the image below to find out what these options are.

Click on the image below to learn more about all Connect events and Interest Clubs.

Do you have an idea for an event or do you have a hobby you would like to share with others? Let us know via events@connect-int.org

Projects and Activities

"Walking with a Stranger" - We want to leave isolation behind and open again ourselves to joyful encounters (of course respecting Corona prevention regulations). Taking this in account we created an event that allows us to do so and meet new people, making it actually playful by matching two strangers, who will go for a walk together. More about the activity: Facebook, Instagram. Sign up link.

#NLthroughoureyes - We publish stories and photos made by internationals which describe and illustrate expat's lives in The Northern Netherlands (Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe). These stories may be published in the Connect International Blog, on Facebook and Instagram pages or in The Northern Times. Please send us an email if you wish to take part in this project.

Events during January 2022 & February 2022

ONLINE, GRONINGEN, FRIESLAND, DRENTHE, OTHER

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat
						1 Jan
2 Jan Walking Club in Leeuwarden Walking Club in Groningen	3 Jan	4 Jan	5 Jan Dutch Conversation Fun with Andrea levels A1-A2	6 Jan Dutch Book Club, levels A2-B1. De geur van Regen, Lieneke Dijkzeul. Group 2	7 Jan	8 Jan Connect Travel Club, trip to Amersfoort POSTPONED
9 Jan Walking Club in Leeuwarden Walking Club in Groningen	10 Jan Dutch Conversation Fun with Yvonne levels B1-B2	11 Jan English Conversation Fun \| Online IWCN Webinar: Doing your Dutch taxes	12 Jan Dutch Conversation Fun with Andrea levels A1-A2 Guided Meditation Book Club in Groningen	13 Jan Dutch Book Club, levels A2-B1. De geur van Regen, Lieneke Dijkzeul. Group 2	14 Jan English Conversation Club with Cata levels B1-B2 in Groningen (this meeting is online) Wellness Hour	15 Jan International Coffee Morning in Groningen CANCELLED
16 Jan Walking Club in Leeuwarden Walking Club in Groningen	17 Jan Dutch Conversation Fun with Yvonne levels B1-B2	18 Jan English Conversation Fun \| Online Housing Webinar with Expat Mortgages	19 Jan Dutch Conversation Fun with Andrea levels A1-A2 Guided Meditation	20 Jan Dutch Book Club, levels A2-B1. Hittegolf, René Appel. Dutch Book Club, levels A2-B1. De Geur van Regen, Lieneke Dijkzeul.	21 Jan English Conversation Club with Cata levels B1-B2 in Groningen Wellness Hour	22 Jan Connect Travel Club, trip to Amersfoort Running Club Friesland
23 Jan Walking Club in Leeuwarden Walking Club in Groningen	24 Jan Dutch Conversation Fun with Yvonne levels B1-B2	25 Jan English Conversation Fun \| Online	26 Jan Dutch Conversation Fun with Andrea levels A1-A2 Housing Webinar with Expat Mortgages Guided Meditation	27 Jan Dutch Book Club, levels A2-B1. Hittegolf, René Appel. Dutch Book Club, levels A2-B1. De Geur van Regen, Lieneke Dijkzeul.	28 Jan English Conversation Club with Cata levels B1-B2 in Groningen	29 Jan Running Club Friesland
30 Jan Walking Club in Leeuwarden Walking Club in Groningen	31 Jan Dutch Conversation Fun with Yvonne levels B1-B2	1 Feb Housing Webinar with Expat Mortgages	2 Feb Dutch Conversation Fun with Andrea levels A1-A2	3 Feb	4 Feb English Conversation Club with Cata levels B1-B2 in Groningen	5 Feb Running Club Friesland
6 Feb Walking Club in Leeuwarden Walking Club in Groningen	7 Feb	8 Feb	9 Feb Dutch Conversation Fun with Andrea levels A1-A2 Housing Webinar with Expat Mortgages	10 Feb	11 Feb English Conversation Club with Cata levels B1-B2 in Groningen New! Introduction for Live Storytelling	12 Feb Running Club Friesland
13 Feb Walking Club in Leeuwarden Walking Club in Groningen	14 Feb	15 Feb	16 Feb Dutch Conversation Fun with Andrea levels A1-A2	17 Feb Book Club in Groningen	18 Feb	19 Feb Running Club Friesland
20 Feb Walking Club in Leeuwarden Walking Club in Groningen	21 Feb	22 Feb	23 Feb Dutch Conversation Fun with Andrea levels A1-A2	24 Feb	25 Feb	26 Feb Running Club Friesland
27 Feb Walking Club in Leeuwarden Walking Club in Groningen	28 Feb

View past events

"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)

“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)

"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)

Connecting Worlds

Helping people adapt, integrate and develop

Projects and Activities

Events during January 2022 & February 2022

Contact Connect