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
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 POSTPONED 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. IWCN Webinar – Innovative instruments of international Tech Talents sourcing Dutch Book Club, levels A2-B1. De Geur van Regen, Lieneke Dijkzeul.	28 Jan English Conversation Club with Cata levels B1-B2 in Groningen Wellness Hour	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	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

“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 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 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)

"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)

Connecting Worlds

Helping people adapt, integrate and develop

Projects and Activities

Events during January 2022 & February 2022

Contact Connect