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 December 2021 & January 2022

ONLINE, GRONINGEN, FRIESLAND, DRENTHE, OTHER

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat
			1 Dec Dutch Conversation Fun with Andrea levels A1-A2 Guided Meditation	2 Dec Boekenclub 2 (Dutch Book Club) levels A2-B1 Running Club Friesland Yoga Afternoons with Ana Boekenclub 1 (Dutch Book Club) levels A2-B1	3 Dec New! English Conversation Fun with Cata levels B1-B2 in Groningen International Coffee Morning in Emmen - CANCELLED Wellness Hour New! Cross Stitches (Craft Making) Connect Visit to NonFiction Photo Festival	4 Dec
5 Dec Walking Club in Leeuwarden Walking Club in Groningen	6 Dec Dutch Conversation Fun with Yvonne levels B1-B2	7 Dec English Conversation Fun \| Online	8 Dec Dutch Conversation Fun with Andrea levels A1-A2 Guided Meditation	9 Dec Boekenclub 2 (Dutch Book Club) levels A2-B1 Yoga Afternoons with Ana Boekenclub 1 (Dutch Book Club) levels A2-B1	10 Dec New! English Conversation Fun with Cata levels B1-B2 in Groningen Coffee Morning in Leeuwarden New! Cross Stitches (Craft Making)	11 Dec Connect Travel Club, trip to Zwolle Christmas Market Blokhuispoort
12 Dec Walking Club in Leeuwarden Walking Club in Groningen	13 Dec Dutch Conversation Fun with Yvonne levels B1-B2	14 Dec English Conversation Fun \| Online Book Club in Groningen	15 Dec New! Writer's Club Dutch Conversation Fun with Andrea levels A1-A2 Guided Meditation	16 Dec Boekenclub *2 (Dutch Book Club) levels A2-B1 Dutch Book Club, levels A2-B1. Hittegolf, René Appel. Group 2	17 Dec New! Cross Stitches (Craft Making)	18 Dec
19 Dec Walking Club in Groningen	20 Dec	21 Dec English Conversation Fun \| Online	22 Dec Dutch Conversation Fun with Andrea levels A1-A2 Guided Meditation	23 Dec Dutch Book Club, levels A2-B1. Hittegolf, René Appel. Group 1 Dutch Book Club, levels A2-B1. Hittegolf, René Appel. Group 2	24 Dec	25 Dec
26 Dec	27 Dec	28 Dec	29 Dec	30 Dec	31 Dec	1 Jan
2 Jan	3 Jan	4 Jan	5 Jan	6 Jan Dutch Book Club, levels A2-B1. De Geur van Regen, Lieneke Dijkzeul. Group 1 Dutch Book Club, levels A2-B1. De geur van Regen, Lieneke Dijkzeul. Group 2	7 Jan	8 Jan
9 Jan	10 Jan	11 Jan	12 Jan	13 Jan	14 Jan	15 Jan
16 Jan	17 Jan	18 Jan	19 Jan	20 Jan	21 Jan	22 Jan Connect Travel Club
23 Jan	24 Jan	25 Jan	26 Jan	27 Jan	28 Jan	29 Jan
30 Jan	31 Jan

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)

"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)

“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)

"My husband and I moved to Groningen in the beginning of September 2016. International Welcome Center North was one of the first places we went to get help with all the paperwork and settling-in. We became members of Connect International and now we get a weekly newsletter by e-mail about the next week's events in the area. I have attended Culinary Club and Coffee Morning and have met many new friends. I've met people in the same situation: being in a new country without knowing anyone. I've found the events of Connect International really helpful to meet new people and to try something different."

Outi Heikka (Finland)

Connecting Worlds

Helping people adapt, integrate and develop

Projects and Activities

Events during December 2021 & January 2022

Contact Connect