ESN Introduction Week

Your Time is Now!

The ESN Introduction Week is the biggest Introduction Week for international and internationally-oriented students in Groningen! It is the best way to kickstart your life in your home away from home. Join in and discover Groningen with over 2000 other new students!

The Introduction Week will take place from Friday, August 30th, to Wednesday, September 4th. Throughout this week, you will be able to discover everything that Groningen and its student life have to offer, while also getting to know many other students! In short, it will be an unforgettable and valuable beginning to your stay in Groningen.

During the Introduction Week, you join a group of 16 other students from different countries. Your group will be guided by two Dutch or international Introduction Guides: these are students who have already lived in Groningen for a while. They will lead your group during the entire Introduction Week programme, help you get to know the city, and answer any questions you might have.

Learn about the 6-Day Programme!

You can find the full programme day by day on this website down below. Disclaimer: the programme on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday takes place only in the evening, so you will not miss any classes in your first week of university.

Watch the aftermovie from September 2022!

A ticket for the Introduction Week includes:

- Access to the entire Introduction Week programme to kickstart your new life in Groningen (scroll down on this webpage for the full overview);
- An ESNcard (worth €9,50) that gives you access to events organised by ESN Groningen throughout the whole year, next to local and international discounts;
- A goodie bag filled with useful information, goodies and discount vouchers.
- Memories & friends for a life-time!

Buy your Ticket here!

Who can participate?

The ESN Introduction Week is open to all students living or studying in Groningen. We welcome Master, Bachelor and exchange students from all universities and colleges in the city and region, such as Hanze, University of Groningen, UCG, NHL Stenden, and more.

Questions?

Do you have any questions about the ESN Introduction Week or about ESN Groningen in general? You can always send us an email at introductionweek@esn-groningen.nl.

Want to Help out?

We cannot organise the Introduction Week all by ourselves. We need your help to make it happen! Do you have some spare time from Friday, August 30th, to Wednesday, September 4th, and want to help welcome new students to the city? Consider becoming an Introduction Guide or Crew!

Want to organise this next year?

Become the next ESN Executive Board and create memorable experiences for 6,000+ international and Dutch students! Organise two of Groningen’s biggest introduction weeks, 150+ events throughout the year, network with the biggest student associations in the city, and leave your mark on the student community! Applications for the 2025-2026 Board open in January 2025.

Become the next ESN Executive Board!

MY ESN-Account

Bought a ticket for the ESN Introduction Week?
Login to your ESN Introduction Week account via the following button. Through this platform you can participate in all the events of the ESN Introduction Week.

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Daily Programme

Friday, August 30th - Meet & Eat, Grand Opening Party Saturday, August 31st - Culture Day & Comedy Show, Pub Crawl Sunday, September 1st - Sports Day Monday, September 2nd - Dutch Language Lessons & Band Night Tuesday, September 3rd - Movie Night Wednesday, September 4th - Final Dutch Party

Friday, August 30th - Meet & Eat, Grand Opening Party

The Introduction Week will start with a Meet & Eat at your Introduction Guide's home or a restaurant! This is a great opportunity to get to know your group and guides because soon after you will attend the Opening Party at the legendary Suikerfabriek -a former Sugar-factory turned into an event-venue- There, the President of ESN Groningen will give an opening speech, and you can party with your Introduction Group into the morning!

Saturday, August 31st - Culture Day & Comedy Show, Pub Crawl

The Saturday is devoted to culture! After recovering form the opening party you can attend over a dozen different workshops at our Culture Day in different buildings in the centre of Groningen. In addition, you can also attend one of three shows by the improv comedy group Stranger Things Have Happened. In the evening, it's time to explore the Dutch student party culture by going on a Pub Crawl! During Pub Crawl you can try out the many different pubs, clubs & bars in Groningen together with your Introduction Group!

Sunday, September 1st - Sports Day

Striking a balance in your student life is more important than you might think. Join us at the Student Sports Centre ACLO where you can try a wide variety of sports! ACLO is the largest student sport facility in Europe. We will celebrate the last day of your summer break with a fashionable Theme Party in the evening, so make sure to dress up for the evening!

Monday, September 2nd - Dutch Language Lessons & Band Night

Spreek jij al een beetje Nederlands? On Monday, you'll have the opportunity to learn a few extra words and sentences in Dutch that will help you get around. Once you're done with your Dutch class, we will have a chill evening with live music at the Band Night. Two different bands will be playing throughout the night to satisfy various tastes!

Tuesday, September 3rd - Movie Night

Now that your classes have started and you're officially a student, it's time to relax a bit. On Tuesday, a must-watch movie will be screened exclusively for you at Groningen's biggest cinema. This is a great opportunity to recharge for the final event of the Introduction Week - the Final Dutch Party.

Wednesday, September 4th - Final Dutch Party

On the last day of the Introduction Week, we're going to end it with a blast: the Final Dutch Party! Party one last time with your Introduction Group and celebrate the start of your time here in Groningen. Make sure you're dressed in as much orange as possible! Having the Dutch flag on you is an undeniable advantage.