Experience Groningen

Hey there! Are you a student in Groningen that wants to seek all the opportunities for your future career? Then these are some ideas to create your future in Groningen!

1. Internships - some educational programs might have a mandatory internships included, some might not. Having experience is what matters, therefore try to gain as much experience by getting summer internships or student jobs in a field relevant to your study.
2. Networking - this is the 🔑 to a successful career. This might be the way you find your internships, thesis companies or even a job after you graduate.
3. Honors Program - join the honors program of your university. This is an extra challenge, but personally I think it’s the thing that would set you apart from other candidates for jobs. It’s an extra asset on your CV

Those were my top 3 tips on how to boost your future in Groningen! These are my personal tips, take everything with a grain of salt😉

Good luck!

Love,
Maria ❤️

Are you new to Groningen? Do you want to experience student life and make your first friends in your new home city? Then join the ESN Introduction Week!
Taking place from September 2 till 7, the Introduction Week is packed with fun activities, social events, workshops, sports, and parties to get you settled in Groningen.
There are few tickets remaining, so make sure to get yours soon at
esn-groningen.nl/esn-introduction-week
We hope to see you there!

Check it out now! Five perfect spots for a selfie or reel 📸Find them at these locations:
👉University of Groningen, Harmoniegebouw, Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat
👉Hanze University, Van Doorenveste Zernike
👉Alfa-college, Admiraal de Ruyterlaan
👉Noorderpoort, Verzetsstrijderslaan
👉Ubbo Emmiussingel next to the rainbow zebra crossing

We’re giving away Groningen sweaters or coffee mugs on October 3rd:
1.Take your photo, story or reel next to one of the art pieces
2. Use the hashtag
3. Tag your institution - University of Groningen, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Noorderpoort, Alfacollege

for more info go to groningen.nl/welcome
©️Winchester Creatives

After (probably) a long journey to the most Northern city of the Netherlands, you might feel a bit lost and clueless about this new place and hometown. You might also wonder how you’re going to settle here for the next few years. Read tips from Maimoena on how to survive your first weeks in Groningen! Link in bio 🔗






©️ photo Stella Dekker

Hello everyone 👋 You might be a new student or one who is sticking around this year. Either way, we all know that student finances can be a burden on a lot of us.

You can try getting a job, whether that be a remote job from back home or maybe a bar job here (even if you don’t speak Dutch!). However, balancing work and studies can be hard, and even then, we all love making things cheaper right? So here are a few tips on how to save money here in Groningen:

NS deals: if you want to use the train here, you will find that the distance of Groningen to the big cities in the country will mean trains can be expensive. But you can get discounts, whether it’s group tickets or a subscription with NS in order to travel around the country for cheap.🚆

Beer bottles: if you buy crates of bottles in supermarkets, you can bring them back to the shop and get some money back for each bottle you bring back. You can get 0.10€ per glass bottle, meaning you get back 2.4€ per crate. Sweet right? 🍺

Bring your own cup: in most coffee places, if you order coffee (or other beverages) to take away, you will get a cheaper drink if you bring your own reusable cup. ☕ It saves the planet by limiting the usage of cardboard and it’s cheaper.

Market: the market not only has amazing products, from cheese, fish, meat, vegetables and bread, but it’s also cheaper than in shops. It happens on Vissmarkt Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 🐟🥝

Loyalty cards: Albert Heijn and other supermarkets have loyalty cards, giving your points for certain items, making you enjoy a little more food shopping! 😍

Various deals: keep an eye out for different cards and memberships in your favourite places. With the ESN card, you get deals with Ryanair for example. ✈️ You can also keep coupons cards for your favourite restaurants, like here with FLFL.

The KEI week has begun!

This is your chance to immerse yourself in Groningen student life as a first year student. Ready to step into your future?

Pretty soon you’ll arrive in Groningen! Welcome! Be at home in the city where you will experience the best time of your life.

Look 🔝at the surprise we have in store for you.
This Monday we’ll unveil our amazing art installation and we’ll tell you exactly how to win a Groningen goodie bag. Don’t miss out 🎁

Are you ready to become a Groninger? City Central has put together the ultimate starter kit for Groningen newbies. From the basics like rubbish disposal to where to find the best new restaurants, these are the essentials of your new home.

Hello everyone 👋 As of late, the local council of Groningen has enabled more artists and students to express their street art throughout the city. Obviously the one that grabbed the attention is the new Aletta Jacobs mural near the university library (last pic). But there are many more murals in Paddepoel, Boterdiep and around Warhol bar. Great way to explore a form of outdoor exhibitions in this vibrant city.

Essential tips for making Groningen your new home: registering at the municipality! Once you have arrived from abroad, you must register with the personal records Database (BRP) within 5 days after arrival.

Make an appointment at gemeente.groningen.nl/en, gather up your documents and head to the municipal office at Kreupelstraat 1.

You will be issued a BSN - a unique personal number. The BSN is a requirement for starting a job in the Netherlands, opening a bank account, using the health care system, applying for benefits, buying a car, or announcing a change of address.

Finding accommodation in Groningen is hard just like in all Dutch student cities. Your search for a place to stay in Groningen can get tough especially if you don’t know what to expect. Read Maria’s tips in our stories 🔝

Groningen culture & nightlife. Rodrigo’s favorite hangout is Concerthuis in the Poelestraat.
Great place to relax, drink, eat and hang out. 🍻🌮🥘 Get down with the foodsharing. Try a boardgame and a brunch on a slow Sunday. Lots of vegan options too 🌱

Sunny Days 🌞keep cool and enjoy the shade 🌳🏊‍♂️🍦

Hey there! Summer break is here and I’m back to share my top 5 places to go on a sunny day in Groningen!

Noorderplantsoen - my favorite place to have a picnic and enjoy some sunshine! Just grab a picnic blanket, some fruits and enjoy a nice afternoon with your friends!

Hoornsemeer/ Hoornseplas - this is the a pretty cool place and the closest thing we have to a typical beach. You can rent boats, stand up paddles or just swim.

Dot/ city beach - if you want to enjoy a nice day at the beach, but you don’t want to cycle all the way to Hoornsemeer, this is the place to check out!

Terraces and small cafés - there are so many nice terraces in Groningen! My favorite ones are the Katten Cafe and Concerthuis. What are your favorite terraces?

Walk along the canals of Groningen! This is one of my favorite activities to do here. I can never get enough of the scenery.

I hope I inspired you with these few ideas. The weather is so beautiful now that it would be a pity to not enjoy it in the nicest places in Groningen!

Love,

Maria

Looking for a job but worried about your Dutch skills?

Introducing International Groningen #2: Make it in The North

Make it in the North is here to bring you jobs in Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe that do not require you to speak fluent Dutch. From professional jobs, internships, to part-time student jobs, they have them.

Aside from that, they also offer free one-on-one career coaching sessions and CV workshops.

They are currently running a campaign for internationals who are interested in a job in hospitality (or as the Dutch say; horeca - hotel, restaurants, café), be it a part-time or a full-time professional job.

If you’re looking to develop your career, or just getting some earnings next to your study, be sure to check them out!

www.makeitinthenorth.nl

Newbie in Groningen? International Groningen network has got you covered. We help you with practical matters, making new friends, welcome walks, enjoying nightlife and whatnot. You’ll be a Groninger in no time!

Introducing International Groningen #1 : Groningen Life. An online magazine for prospective students
Check out the site groningenlife/nl/en

Today is the last exam week before summer holidays! 👩🏽‍🎓🧑‍🎓👨🏻‍🎓For all you newcomers to Groningen: take a look at the UB tour (Universiteits Bibliotheek) in our stories or highlights! You’ll be here soon too 🇳🇱

The UB is located on the Broerplein in the heart of the city 💜

Hey there! Do you ever feel very motivated to create your best self?

I know I always felt like I could do more and I always wanted an extra challenge in my academic journey in Groningen. That’s why I applied for the Honours Programme of Hanze University of Applied Sciences.

This programme helped me develop so much in my professional life, however the biggest impact I felt was in my personal life. I had the opportunity to choose extra courses and to work on projects with people from all over the world and all different studies.

I really encourage you to check out the honours programmes, regardless of the university you are part of! Its a bit of extra work, but it’s so worth it! It gives student the opportunity to become their best future selves!

Start creating your future in Groningen!
Wish you all good luck with the rest of the academic year!

Love,
Maria

Hey there! Do you ever feel very motivated to create your best self?

I know I always felt like I could do more and I always wanted an extra challenge in my academic journey in Groningen. That’s why I applied for the Honours Programme of Hanze University of Applied Sciences.

This programme helped me develop so much in my professional life, however the biggest impact I felt was in my personal life. I had the opportunity to choose extra courses and to work on projects with people from all over the world and all different studies.

I really encourage you to check out the honours programmes, regardless of the university you are part of! Its a bit of extra work, but it’s so worth it! It gives student the opportunity to become their best future selves!

Start creating your future in Groningen!
Wish you all good luck with the rest of the academic year!

Love,
Maria

Hey there! I’m back to give you a bit of motivation to successfully finish off this academic year!

This year was a journey for all of us, however let’s not relax until we officially finish!

Here are some tips for you to stay motivated!

Tip 1: take care of your body, mind and soul. Create habits that help you achieve your goals. Stay hydrated, read a book or take a break!

Tip 2: exercise! Go for a walk or do some stretching! Exercising doesn’t mean you have to work out in the gym for 2 hours! This will help you stay concentrated!

Tip 3: enjoy some sunshine! This will boost your mood immensely!

Tip 4: write down all your deadlines and exam dates to stay organized. The last thing you want is to miss a deadline!

Tip 5: start revising in advance, don’t leave all the studying for last minute!

Stay concentrated, you got it!

Good luck for your exams and let’s finish this academic year with a BANG!

Love,
Maria

Hey there! It is Rodrigo again 😊

Last week I have been chilling at the park, it was an awesome sunny day and everybody was outside enjoying the good weather.☀️ Stadspark is a big park in the south of Groningen, it is the lung of the city.

Stadspark is the perfect place for running or for a Sunday picnic with friends. This green oasis also hosts great events such as the Kingsday and the Liberation Day (google them to know more about these important Dutch days).

This is the best time to enjoy the vibrant nature in Stadspark!🌳

Dot city beach in Groningen. Cold water swimming and chillin' in the city center. Check this spot out!

Watch the latest vlog by Rodrigo

This sight is never boring, right? Have you already climbed the Martini Tower? On top you can have an incredible view over the city and its surroundings. 🏙️🌳🐄

But there are of course many more fun things to do! See the link in the bio for tips. 😍

My bike, my dog Blanco, and me! 😊

I was waiting for a sunny day but I think that cyclying on a rainy day is a more characteristic Groningen activity. 🌧️🚲

This last week has been quite rainy sometimes although is warm enough to go outside and enjoy the nature. After a long day working/studying at the office, there is nothing like going out for a ride with my best friends: my bike and my dog called Blanco.

This is why I love Groningen, cause green and water are always around the corner. 😍

Today is World Bicycle Day, as declared by the United Nations. 🚲 For 2 centuries, the bicycle has proven to be a reliable and environmentally friendly means of transport. And of course, cycling is also beneficial to your health! 💚 Did you know that the Netherlands has more than 37,000 kilometres worth of cycle paths!?

📷 stella.dekker

⚠️ Finding a room in Groningen can be quite a challenge! Want to know how to navigate the tough competition for a room? 🏠 Read our latest article! Link in bio.

Today is the 'European Day of Parks.' 🏞️ 🦅 Did you know that the Netherlands has as many as 21 National Parks!?

Lauwersmeer National Park is a beautiful nature reserve where you can enjoy the peace and quiet. You are even welcome at night, to admire the amazing starry sky out of complete darkness! 🌙 ⭐ For more information, see link in bio.

📷 © stella.dekker

Will you be studying in Groningen soon?😍 There are many platforms and organisations that can help you find your way! From information on housing and finding a job to cultural and social events. 🔎

📷 © stella.dekker

Hey you, are you having a good time but also feeling blue sometimes? 💭

Believe me, you're not alone in this! Everyone has their ups and downs, even in this promising spring weather in Groningen... Taking care of your physical and mental health should be of equal importance.

Have you tried talking it out with your close ones or finding a solution by yourself but things are not changing in your favour? There are many ways to get help in Groningen and I encourage you to do so. As a student, you could make an appointment with the study advisor, a student counsellor, or a psychologist via the Student Service Centre at the university. But there are also other initiatives, like Ease Groningen, All Ears, or Not Alone, that offer a safe environment where you can talk about your situation.

Wishing you all the best! Love, Linda. 💙

Hello everyone! ☀️ As the sun starts making a regular appearance in Groningen, you might be thinking about a lovely bike adventure.

So why don’t you check out these 5 places just outside of the city centre to discover a little more nature in Groningen? They are all located within 15-20 minutes from the city centre, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the scenary on the way. 🌲🌺

1. Reitdiephaven: a small port with colourful houses, the ride on the west side of Groningen along the river is gorgeous.

2. Stadspark: great for running and cycling, it also welcomes festivals in the spring and the summer.

3. Noorderplantsoen: closest location on the list, most students go there after classes to enjoy a picnic or a drink.

4. Haren Hortus Botanical Gardens: students get a reduced price entrance into this huge garden, which includes this Chinese Garden and a small animal farm.

5. De Helper windmill: located on the coast of Paterswoldsemeer lake, this windmill represents perfectly the scenic route around the lake.

Enjoy the ride and don’t forget to take pictures! 📷

Today is Liberation Day. 🧡 A public holiday on which we annually celebrate the liberation from German occupation in 1945. On this day we celebrate our freedom. Yet, we also remember that even today, freedom is not self-evident for everyone!

📷 .dekker

Hey, welcome to Forum Groningen! This amazing building is an all-in-one: library, cinema, museum, café, a rooftop terrace, and one of my favorite working spots. The forum is located in the city centre of Groningen. Did you know that it even won the "best building in the Netherlands" award in 2020? 🔥

At the moment, I am sitting in my regular spot, working on the last part of my Ph. D. thesis. Although I also have a workplace at the university, I really like coming here to work or just to read a novel. ✍🏽📚 For me, Groningen Forum is a symbol and summary of this vibrant city, of all that it has to offer. Come to the Forum and enjoy its 8 floors and 45 meters in height! 😍

For more information on the Forum see link in bio.

Today is King's Day! 🧡 On this day, all Dutchies celebrate the King's birthday 👑✨ Let´s celebrate! For all activities see link in bio.

Planning to study in Groningen? Or are you already a student in Groningen but want to get to know the city even better? Then you've come to the right place! Dive into the online experience and get to know Groningen, the city to start your future and develop yourself into a young professional. (Link in bio.)

Follow our social media channels, and stay up to date with all the ins and outs of student life in Groningen, from housing to daily life, from studying to the vibrant nightlife!

Did you know that this week is the week of the international student? 👫 Hanzehogeschool Groningen herself has students from 115 countries, and University of Groningen has over 120 nationalities. So nice to see that so many people take the big step to come experience the beauty that Groningen has to offer!

The Martini tower is the heart of Groningen city. The tower is 97 meters tall and has almost 300 steps. You can visit the Martini tower in the 'Become A Virtual Groninger game', check out the linktree in the bio. When you are on the top of the tower the view is amazing. You can even see the surrounding areas. Did you know that the Martini tower is leaner than the tower of Pisa?