Two consecutive programmes will bring new arrivals into university systems and city life. Here are the dates and practical checks.

The official welcome comes first

The University of Groningen lists its Welcoming Ceremony for international students on Thursday 27 August 2026. The university's page is the place to confirm venue, registration and programme details before travelling, because attendance arrangements can differ by group.

ESN Introduction Week follows from Friday 28 August through Wednesday 2 September. The programme combines practical orientation and social events, giving arrivals several ways to meet the city beyond a single large gathering.

What students should check now

Save the official confirmation, verify what a ticket includes and plan the route home before evening events. Keep municipal appointments and housing tasks visible in the same calendar. Introduction week is useful when it supports arrival, not when it pushes every essential job into the following Monday.

What to do after the official programme

Within twenty-four hours, sort the material collected at the ceremony and keep only the contacts, deadlines and services that apply to you. Add faculty sessions and municipal tasks to the same calendar. Event handouts can become outdated, so use their links to reach the current official page instead of treating a printed time as permanent.

Follow up with one person you met and one service you learned about. That could mean attending a faculty help desk, visiting a sports association or asking the correct housing question. Welcoming events are successful when they reduce the distance between a student and the institution—not when the information remains in a tote bag for the rest of the semester.

  • Check for programme changes on the morning of the event.
  • Bring identification only when the organiser says it is required.
  • Use official transport and venue information.
  • Keep study enrolment and immigration deadlines ahead of optional events.