Join us!

Posted on: September 1, 2022

Welcome to the north!

The International Welcome Center North (IWCN) is a one-stop shop for international people living in Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe.

We offer services in three areas: government formalities (residence permits and municipal registration); information (practical information and referrals to reliable service providers); and events (a chance to start building a social and/or business network during events).

All of this happens at one location: Gedempte Zuiderdiep 98 in Groningen – but we host social events across the entire northern Netherlands!

All of our activities in Groningen, Drenthe and Friesland are put together by Connect International and City Central:

Connect International hosts activities and hobby clubs in Friesland, Drenthe and Groningen every week. There’s Dutch conversation fun, sports clubs and yoga classes, city trips and lots of other special interest events – and our members are invited to create their own new activities!

For Groningen residents, City Central is the place where internationals in Groningen become locals. We connect new foreign residents to each other, to the locals and – most importantly – to the city through Dutch language support (My Local Friend), cycling workshops (FietsFriend), neighborhood tours (Welcome Walks), and more.

During your stay here, even if it’s just for a semester, you are welcome to become a member and join our events!

The standard membership with Connect International and City Central is 25 euros and we offer a student rate of 15 euros for BA and MA students, membership includes:

Free access to most Connect International and City Central events.
Member discounts for select external events in collaboration with local cultural organizations
Notifications about our upcoming events and activities, Weekly Tips and special announcements (such as job vacancies for internationals in the Northern Netherlands).
Volunteer opportunities to develop and host activities that you would like to share with others, based on when suits your schedule.

For social events in Groningen, Drenthe and Friesland, visit Connect
For activities in Groningen, visit City Central
For informational events in all three provinces, visit IWCN

Follow us on social media to find out about our upcoming activities and learn insider tips about the best the northern Netherlands has to offer!

Instagram: 

@connect.iwcn

@citycentral.iwcn

Facebook:

City Central

Connect International