Local Activities
You can travel anywhere with AEGEE – from the most southern parts of Italy, to the cold up north in Sweden. But of course the best thing about traveling is coming home. And Groningen is our home! Despite our lust for traveling, most of our activities take place in Groningen. From our weekly social drink on Wednesdays in the Brouwerij, to fun activities organised by the Activity committee, and interesting lectures on the future of Europe. Read about all our amazing activities here!
In case you are interested in organizing activities in Groningen, feel free to check out which committees or societies you can join to do this! And keep in mind – we do not just organize activities in Groningen. Don’t forget to learn more about our yearly trips, and European network!
Our weekly social drink & activities
In Groningen, Wednesday night is the AEGEE night! Every Wednesday night you can find us in the Brouwerij from 22:00 onwards. It is the perfect way to catch up with your friends and dance the night away! Committees like to enjoy dinner together and to have their committee meetings on Wednesday, before coming to the drinks together. Societies or other members also like to get together for a bite and some drinks before the social.
Besides the drinks, each week there is at least one additional activity. These are organised by the committees, societies or the board. Be surprised by the cooking skills of the Cooking Committee, come and learn to crochet with the members of the Laughs & Crafts society, or run the Batavierenrace together with the FitCie! Other examples are our yearly cantus, organised by the Cape Numerum society, and the Galant Gala each March, which we organize together with several other associations.
Getting to know AEGEE
Do you want to get to know AEGEE better, before you decide to sign up as a member? There are plenty of opportunities and activities in Groningen to do so! During the KEI week you can find us at most of the KEI events, and of course you can come get some free pizza during our pizza lunches. Find out more about our KEI events here!
During September and October we have our introduction period, where you can get to know us, our members, and other (potential) members. Join our famous introduction camp, have fun at a European night, or join a weekly intro dinner before having some drinks in the Brouwerij! For those who find out about AEGEE later in the year, or first want to get a taste of student life without an association, we have an additional, smaller introduction period in February. Find out more about the upcoming introduction period here!
Educational activities
Workshops, lectures and debates are also organised throughout the year, so besides all the fun, there is plenty to learn at AEGEE-Groningen. In 2024, we organized several events to inform people about the then-upcoming European elections. You can also attend lectures and workshops on topics important to us as European youth, such as sustainability, the spread of mis-information, and political situations across Europe.
The board also organises a ‘Local Training Course’ every year, which gives members the chance to further develop their skills. Think about acquiring social media skills, how to deal with stress, or learning how to write an excellent CV.
Thematic Weeks
During the year, AEGEE usually also has one or two thematic weeks. These activities are often open to all students in Groningen (so you can bring your friends or housemates!). The whole week is full of fun and interesting activities, with themes such as Mental Health or Sustainability.
One of our yearly recurring thematic weeks is the Europe Week. This week is all about what is happening on our continent and cultural exchange. Think about interesting lectures and workshops on the proceedings of the European Union or current political situations. There are also activities such as a European dinner, and the infamous European Night! During this evening, everyone brings a typical dish and some drinks from a European country and presents it to each other. It is the AEGEE activity of the year and a great way to get to know new cultures.
Developing AEGEE-Groningen
Of course, each association also has its formal side. Internal regulations need updating, board candidates have to be elected, and we always have to discuss together how to maintain and develop our association. 3 times a year we hold a General Members Assembly, where candidates can be elected for several positions, such as the Audit Commission, Board, or Delegate to the Agora of AEGEE-Europe. For every GMAs, members have the opportunity to submit proposals to make changes to the Internal Regulations – so we can make important and meaningful changes in AEGEE-Groningen.
To discuss important topics in the development of the association, there is also a think tank on a relevant topic each year. All members can give their input on this topic to the board, during this session. In addition, AEGEE-Groningen has a longer term strategy, decided by all members together in the strategic plan, which is set every three years. Boards fill in this strategic plan each year with their policy plan.
Active Members activities
Our association would not exist without our amazing active members. To thank them for all their hard work, the board organises a few activities every year for all members who are active in a committee, a team or an advisory body. Typically there is an introductory activity for people to get to know each other, a special social drink (with free beer!), and a full Active Members Day with a free dinner. Last year, we also had a very fun Active Members Weekend to Ameland! These activities are a fun way to get to know other active members within AEGEE-Groningen.
Do you want to become an active member? Make sure to check out our committees!
NL