The Rise of Country-Specific Student Associations
Groningen has an increasing number of student associations which are based on the country of origin of their members. Why is that?
More and more country-specific student associations are popping up in Groningen. A Polish association, a Spanish association, a Hellenic association, a Bulgarian association, and an Italian association — the list keeps on growing. These associations provide international students with a space to connect with others who share their language, culture, and challenges.
‘When I arrived in Groningen, I had this thirst for a place where I could speak Greek, cherish it, and celebrate it’
Marios recalls how few country-specific associations existed when he and his friends founded the Hellenic Student Association in September 2022. Social media may play a big role in this development. According to Stefanos, vice-president of the Hellenic Student Association, students see events online and get inspired to start their own association. ‘It is an amazing feeling to build such a community. I lived in Luxembourg my whole life, and when I arrived in Groningen, I had this thirst for a place where I could speak Greek, cherish it, and celebrate it.’
Apart from creating an atmosphere where Greeks and Greek Cypriots feel at home in Groningen, bonding over Greek food and music, they help one another with study-related and housing challenges.
On December 6th the Hellenic Assocation organised a Sinterklaas celebration, with gift exchanges and Dutch treats
Marios and Stefanos are proud of the community they set up. ‘It is a huge web of friends. We want to celebrate our culture with others. Anyone is welcome to join us. We have members from Bulgaria, Poland and India.’ At the same time, they appreciate that Groningen has welcomed them, and they respect Dutch culture. Both have studied Dutch and even bring a few Dutch traditions to their events. For example, on December 6th they organised a Sinterklaas celebration, with gift exchanges and Dutch treats.
Hispania Groningen, which is one of the newest country-specific associations, was founded in March 2024 with the dream of bringing a sunny slice of Spain to Groningen. Pablo and Jose, members of the Executive Board, explain. ‘The culture shock for Spanish students is big. The Dutch education system, the people, and, on top of that, the cold and rainy weather are a big adjustment. We are used to spending most of our time outdoors. For a first-year Spanish student, adapting to Dutch life can be overwhelming.’
Jose and Pablo are enthusiastic about showing students that there is much more than Copas, the bar where Spanish students like to party
Pablo recollects how he socialised with students from everywhere during his first year in Groningen, but became more and more homesick over time and increasingly felt the need to connect with Spanish people. Hispania Groningen welcomes students from all nationalities who want to immerse themselves in the tight-knit Spanish community. Jose and Pablo are enthusiastic about showing students in Groningen that there is much more than Copas, the bar where Spanish students like to party. For example, they will soon be organising Tardeo (the Spanish term for eating tapas, relaxing with friends, and dancing).
The associations are also teaming up to bring students together beyond their individual communities. Recently, the Mediterranean Games took place: a football, volleyball, and basketball tournament among the Spanish, Hellenic, and Italian associations. ‘We tried to keep it simple with only three associations. Five or more would have been difficult to coordinate. Besides, we all share a similar culture’, says Jose from Hispania Groningen. Stefanos from the Hellenic Association adds that the goal was to bring students together and have fun. ‘We understand that some other associations might feel excluded. This shows that each association also has its limitations in terms of collaboration, funding, and organisation.’
Yet, there is a risk of international students living in their own bubble
Yet, despite efforts to organise such cross-cultural events, there is a risk of students living in their own bubble. Pola, vice-president and treasurer of the Polish Student Association, sees it differently. ‘There is already a Dutch bubble, and it can be hard to break into. That’s why some students want to connect with others from their home country. Yes, we create a bubble in a way, but we want to preserve a piece of home, especially for those of us who cannot visit our families and friends often.’
The Polish Student Association, founded in April 2023, like its counterparts, is inclusive for students of all backgrounds. ‘We have non-Polish members who say Polish people are approachable and welcoming. That’s why they enjoy hanging around with us.’ The association aims to provide a safety net for students struggling to settle, helping one another with various student-related issues, such as housing.
To celebrate their cultures in the most authentic way, the country-specific associations in close collaboration with Amicus Civitas, an emerging international association, recently organised a Christmas dinner in the A-kerk, where everyone brought traditional dishes from their homeland. Stefanos: ‘It is all about the spirit. And who brings all that together? The people. There is nothing more beautiful than being in an atmosphere where, no matter how freezing the temperatures are outside, you feel at home.’