Dutch-speaking conversation partners for internationals

Interesting or nice about this vacancy

As a volunteer at My Local Friend, you get to know people from other countries and help them feel more at home in Groningen. You determine your own availability and how you meet up with your buddy.

Tasks and duties

Would you enjoy helping an international person practice their Dutch and make them feel more at home in the city? Is your Dutch good and do you have time to meet up regularly (about once every week or two weeks)? Then sign up as a My Local Friend!

My Local Friend (a project of International Welcome Center North) pairs people one-on-one: a volunteer (who speaks good Dutch) with an international (who would like to practice Dutch). Subsequently, you meet regularly for a conversation, on your own initiative.

For example, you can walk through the market with your international partner, visit a museum, or have a cup of coffee in a café or simply at home. It is not about language lessons, but about having a chat. The organization is always available for questions and support.

Skills and qualities

Are you interested in other people and cultures, and do you enjoy having a conversation and supporting others with their Dutch? That is all you need to participate in My Local Friend.

Additional information

IWCN and My Local Friend offer (informal) help to non-native speakers who want to learn to speak Dutch better. They come from all continents and live in the Netherlands for various reasons, such as work or study. Some already speak Dutch reasonably well, while others speak only a little. However, every new resident of Groningen must be able to hold a simple conversation, because the point of My Local Friend is practicing Dutch through conversation. The new residents of Groningen have at least one thing in common: they are eager to connect with people who have been living in the Netherlands longer and with whom they have the opportunity to speak and practice Dutch in a relaxed setting.

Sign up directly as a local here via the IWCN website.