Let's Talk Dutch! Leeuwarden

"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)

"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)

"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)

"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)