Chinese & English Language Exchange

Time for our biweekly peer Satsang gathering! This is an open, equal and low-key gathering for spiritual seekers from all walks of life to get together, talk, feel connected and grow. The gathering will last for about two hours. Bring questions, thoughts, or just your presence. We'll see what unfolds once we're there. If you're interested but can't make the currently indicated time, the event is full or you have any other questions, get in touch with me at thijshugenholtz@gmail.com and we'll see what we can do! Location: Buurtcentrum Hart van Noord, Trumanlaan 60 Utrecht but the entrance is opposite Geallieerdenlaan 24

Join us for an evening of good vibes! Whether you’re a local or an expat, Mingle Mania is the perfect place to socialize and make friends or even to practice languages. 🤝🤼‍♂️💬🙋‍♂️🫂 👉 Join [https://chat.whatsapp.com/GopSuzuFKRBKeYVKQrX4pE](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GopSuzuFKRBKeYVKQrX4pE) The group has many regular members, we intend to do various type of events, the goal is to build a strong community for all sorts of activities. If you have an event idea that you would like to see happen, let us know. We generally have about 20 participants, the age is between 20 and 60 averaging somewhere around 30, language exchange is not strictly enforced, culture exchange happens naturally. **mingle** (verb, intransitive): to move among people and talk to them, especially at a social event. 📍 **What We Are:** * A diverse group of locals and expats * ...going out at least every Tuesday 😊 🆓 **Event Details:** * It is free to join and operated on a voluntary basis! * Please honor the bar by ordering at least one drink.

* This course is for advanced improvisers who want to improve their shows, stage performance, audience interaction and more complicated games. You will learn * how to run a show well, * how to work together better, * more physical then static scenes, * and you will get stage coaching, for your inidividual needs. * For advanced participants: 5+ courses and a lot of performance experience. 9 lessons plus a show \* Teacher: Emma Holmes Location: Buurtcentrum De Jager Time: Tuesdays 18:45 to 20:35 Started 31 March but you can still join Price: €230 * 10 sessions: 9 Tuesdays plus a show on 7 June **Teacher Emma Holmes** read more about the teacher and the course at our website www.improvutrecht.nl **Course details** The course is taught by Emma Holmes and consists of 10 sessions: 9 lessons, followed by a small show. The total cost is €230. The show date will be confirmed closer to the end of the course. Classes take place on Tuesday evenings from 20:35 to 22:20, running from 31 March to 9th of June 2026. There is no lesson on 28 April and 5 May. Lessons 31 March, 7, 14, 21 April, 12, 19, 26 May, 2 and 9 June. The location is Buurtcentrum De Jager, zaal 6, Teun de Jagerdreef 1 Utrecht. Free parking and close to Overvecht Station.. Improv Utrecht offers 2 funded courses with 20% discount for people with less finances. Send a message to Marieke van Laar. **Tickets: improv-utrecht.weticket.io**

Get your ticket for only 7,50! Click the link below to secure your spot via Eventbrite: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981929859562/?discount=INT26](http://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981929859562/?discount=INT26 "http://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981929859562/?discount=INT26") **The main programme will take place from 20.00 - 21.30 in the Muzenzaal. It will be in English entirely and feature 6 speakers:** **Read hear for more information:** A.I. seems to be developing both at lightspeed and on a global scale - revolutionary breakthroughs make news headlines almost every day. Generative AI applications like Chat GPT and Midjourney have made the technology accessible for a worldwide audience. But even though these applications seem impressive, they are just the tip of the AI-iceberg. INNOVATE was wondering, how are the AI innovators in the Lifeport Arnhem-Nijmegen region doing? And what are they up to? Well, we did the research and it turns out our region holds some absolutely amazing innovations and stories we can't wait to share with you! So: bring your friends, colleagues, or fellow students and join us for this INNOVATE AI MEETUP - XL Edition and get inspired by the latest breakthrough innovations in AI. Learn how AI innovations from our region add to the development of A.I. as a technology, globally. Let entrepreneurs, designers and innovators in health + high tech + energy + creative demonstrate how they use AI to make impact on scale. **Speakers:** **1.Where is AI in it's development right now, and where is it going from here?** Prof. dr. **Pim Haselager** (Radboud University / Principal Investigator - Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour) mentioned during his previous presentation at INNOVATE a few years ago: ''Humanity and AI are somewhat like a child playing with a chainsaw'' ... How are we handling that right now, and where should we be going from here? **2.Can AI help save hundreds of lives per day?** Every day, around 700 women die from preventable pregnancy-related complications, most of them in low- and middle-income countries where access to ultrasound and trained sonographers is limited. To address these barriers to antenatal screening, **Delft Imaging**, in collaboration with **Radboudumc**, initiated the development of **BabyChecker**, an AI-enabled system that supports novice users in acquiring standardized ultrasound sweeps with a low-cost device and automatically identifying high-risk pregnancies. **Sofia Sappia** is researcher in AI for Medical Imaging at Radboudumc and one of the driving forces behind the Babychecker technology, she will tell us everything about her life saving application of AI. **3.Could an AI-powered app provide a new way to look at businesses?** Arnhem-based creative multi talent Sil van der Woerd (co-founder & creative director, [Studio Birthplace](https://www.studiobirthplace.com/ "https://www.studiobirthplace.com/")) pleads for *a revolution of kindness* with his work. His activistic short films and commercials for organisations like Woolmark and Greenpeace have reached audiences all over the world. Right now he is working on an AI powered app, *Reveal*, that could be a game changer in how we look at businesses worldwide. **4.How can AI turn a congested power grid into a flexible energy system?** Luc Nies (Principal Researcher Artificial Intelligence at Alliander) works at the forefront of the energy transition, where digitalisation is key to keeping the lights on. With the Dutch electricity grid under extreme pressure—long waiting times for new connections, growing risks of overload and blackouts—he explores how AI can help transform our 'old school powergrid' into a 'flexible energy system'. From smart forecasting and energy management systems to new tariff models, Luc shows how hospitals, schools and businesses can remain resilient in an increasingly electrified world. **5.How can AI radically accelerate software development?** Stefan Jansen (Lead, AI Experience Room at Avisi) shows how AI is transforming the way software is built. Where developing a software product once took a year, teams can now go from idea to market in a matter of weeks—or even days. Drawing on real-world projects, Stefan explores how AI-powered tooling reshapes the entire software lifecycle: from requirements and development to testing, deployment and cloud hosting. The result: faster innovation, shorter time-to-market, and a new reality where software teams must rethink what’s possible—and how fast they dare to move. **6.When AI leaves the cloud, what happens next?** As a global leader in semiconductors, NXP Semiconductors is enabling the next wave of AI—where intelligence moves from centralized data centers to *the edge*. From smart edge computing to AI running directly on devices, NXP builds the hardware that makes AI faster, safer and more energy-efficient. With change accelerating at unprecedented speed, this session explores the latest breakthroughs in edge AI—and the strategic choices companies must make now, as intelligence becomes embedded everywhere and waiting is no longer an option. **7.How can the Lifeport region help shape the future of AI in the European Union?** Alexandra van Huffelen, Chair of the Executive Board of Radboud Universiteit and Chair of The Economic Board Arnhem Nijmegen – Lifeport, brings together academic leadership, regional strategy and national policy experience. As former State Secretary for Digitalisation, she offers a unique perspective on how AI can drive innovation while safeguarding public values. In her closing remarks, she reflects on the role of AI in strengthening the Arnhem–Nijmegen region as a leading Lifeport ecosystem—and the choices we must make today to shape that future responsibly. The main programme will be moderated by **Eva Eikhout** (BNN/Vara)

Join this INNOVATE A.I. XL Meetup and learn about the latest groundbreaking innovations in A.I. in the Arnhem-Nijmegen region! More information and registration via: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tickets-innovate-ai-meetup-2026-xl-edition-1981929859562?aff=oddtdtcreator

Is public speaking something you’ve always wanted to learn? Then you’ve come to the right place! Experience a safe and playful environment at U-Speak Toastmasters where you can develop your public speaking, communication, and leadership skills! ## **Welcome to U-Speak! Toastmasters** Join our vibrant community at U-Speak!, where internationals and Dutch locals from Utrecht and its surroundings come together. U-speak! Toastmasters is a welcoming, safe, supportive and playful environment where you can work on your public speaking, communication and leadership skills! ## **Discover our meeting experience** Curious about what happens during our meetings? Here’s a glimpse into a typical evening at U-Speak! Our gatherings feature a lineup of three prepared speeches, engaging evaluations and impromptu speaking sessions. At U-Speak!, every member gets their chance to shine. Whether you’re delivering a speech, providing feedback, or stepping up for impromptu speaking, our supportive environment ensures that everyone’s voice is heard and valued. * ⏰ Time: 19:15 - 21:30 (7.15pm to 9.30pm) Walkin at 19:15; Start of the meeting at 19:30 * 🌐 Venue: Room 8, Top Floor, Pub Florin, Utrecht * 🙋🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️Attendance: Typically, 15-20 people attend each meeting Many of our club members are not on Meetup, so the number of people attending as indicated here is not reflective of the actual number of people attending on a night. * 🙋🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️ Guests are welcome; rsvp is encouraged *To maintain the high quality of our meetings and ensure all members have sufficient speaking opportunities, we've established a waitlist for new members. This allows us to provide the best possible learning experience for everyone. We're happy to add your name to our list, and we encourage you to join us as a guest in the meantime.*

**3D Workshop** * **Ontwerpen met Fusion360** * **Scannen in 3D** * **Het gebruik van 3D printers** **Je bent nu welkom in de nieuwe locatie NewTechPark** Je kunt ook online aan deze fysieke bijeenkomst deelnemen. De bijeenkomst is dan op de locatie te volgen. Als je [hier](w.j.put@hccnet.nl) vooraf een mailtje stuurt kun je dinsdagavond tussen 19.00 en 20.00 uur inloggen met Jitsi voor vragen, of ter kennismaking met hcc!3D. Online neem je deel aan de bijeenkomst met [https://wij.hcc.nl/3D](https://wij.hcc.nl/3D) [(Alleen toegang als je zichtbaar bent met voor- en achternaam. )](https://wij.hcc.nl/3d)

Join us for a relaxed and friendly matcha tasting meetup. I’ll bring matcha for everyone to try, and you’re welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks, including alcohol if you like. This is a casual event for meeting new people, enjoying Japanese tea culture, and spending a cozy afternoon together. Beginners are very welcome. Free to join.

Hi all! 🙂 On Wednesdays we welcome you to practice languages! If you want to practice a specific (uncommon) language, please send us a message so we can find some conversation partners for you on our mailing list! We hope to see you in Café Marktzicht! In the last year we had tables for the following languages: * Dutch * English * French * Italian * Spanish * Turkish\* * German\* * Portuguese\* * Danish\* * Norwegian\* * Russian\* * Arabic\* * Chinese\*\* * Japanese\*\* * Indonesian\*\* * * Most likely, but not every week present. \*\* - Rather rare ;-) If your language is not in this list, please let us know! We have a large database of Language Cafe visitors speaking 56 different languages! We might be able to connect you with a person that does speak the language you want to practice. In case you are not in our database yet, please use this form: http://goo.gl/forms/oSCn9Dn8m8

'KAFKA ON THE SHORE' by Haruki Murakami 'The aging Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle. Kafka on the Shore follows the fortunes of two remarkable characters. Kafka Tamura runs away from home at fifteen, under the shadow of his father's dark prophesy. The aging Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. Their parallel odysseys are enriched throughout by vivid accomplices and mesmerising dramas. Cats converse with people; fish tumble from the sky; a ghostlike pimp deploys a Hegel-spouting girl of the night; a forest harbours soldiers apparently un-aged since WWII. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle. Murakami's new novel is at once a classic tale of quest, but it is also a bold exploration of mythic and contemporary taboos, of patricide, of mother-love, of sister-love. Above all it is an entertainment of a very high order.' ***Please read the book and join us for a lively discussion (in English) about the contents during our afternoon book club meeting.*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **PLEASE NOTE:** This is an IN-PERSON event in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Please cancel your attendance in advance if you are unable to join, so that those on the waitlist can participate. Looking forward to seeing you all IN REAL LIFE then! Best regards, Sandra

#This meetup is around a third-party organizer (Focus Filmtheater): you can either purchase your ticket online or right before the session# **Title**: A Family **Language**: Dutch **Subtitles**: English **Length**: 90 min **Director**: Mees Peijnenburg **More info**: https://www.focusarnhem.nl/agenda/english-subs-a-family/ **Ticket link**: https://www.focusarnhem.nl/tickets/143039/ **Synopsis**: An emotional family drama by Mees Peijnenburg (*Paradise Drifters*), about the impact of their parents’ divorce on two teenagers, seen from their own perspectives. With Carice van Houten. Fourteen-year-old Eli and sixteen-year-old Nina are both suffering from the breakdown of their parents’ once-loving marriage. In the custody battle, the siblings must express their wishes, fears, and feelings to a judge. While Nina wants to leave the family as quickly as possible, Eli longs for everything to return to the way it was. Their desires are miles apart. *A Family* is told in two chapters that follow the same three-week period: first from Nina’s perspective, then from Eli’s. These mirrored timelines show how the same moments can be experienced, felt, and understood in completely different ways. Eli and Nina retreat into their own worlds until they realize they are both searching for the same love, recognition, and comfort. The film had it’s world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in February. The film was shown in the Generation 14plus program section, dedicated to films with mature themes that are also suitable for a teenage audience. **How it works**: I will be at Focus around 18:30, where we can meet before the movie starts. You can message me to find us. Screening starts at 19:00. After the movie, we can have a drink together. Hope to see you soon!

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

Inspired by our successful events like "Saturday Mornings @ East Market" and other "Pot Luck in the Park" lunches, this gathering promises to be a blend of fun conversations, language exchange, and cultural insights, all while sharing wonderful foods with each other. Please bring a dish to share and anything you would like to drink. We will provide plates, plastic silverware and napkins. So, come hungry and ready to chat! Note: Since the weather is unpredictable in April, we have a couple of places in mind for the Pot Luck. We have reserved a room in the Dublin Library from 1-2:30 PM for the meal, if necessary. \* But if the weather is nice on April 12th, we are planning to meet in Bridge Park, possibly in the covered shelter area at 12:00 Noon. We will update the details closer to the date of the Pot Luck but wanted to get this out to everyone so that you can make plans for that day.

The aim of this group is to get together and practice our German. Doesn’t matter if are a beginner or a native speaker. The goal is to speak and improve our German. Everyone is welcome! If the weather is good, look for us in the Biergarten. Pro Tip: Get there before 6:00 for happy hour pricing.

Bienvenue! Columbus French Conversation group invites you to our Saturday morning French conversation club. Expect a casual and welcoming atmosphere in which to learn french! I will bring my laptop so we can look up new vocabulary as needed! The venue is a beautiful French restaurant so you can really get into the zone :)

Ciao a tutt\*! Let's meet Monday at 6.30pm at the Upper Arlington Library (**Tremont** Branch) in **Meeting Room A** to speak in Italian for 1 hour.

While some are still meeting online, this is an in person event. Please note that we have attendees of all levels of speaking, including some native speakers. All are welcome! Also, as we meet at the same time and place each week, many don’t RSVP on the app, so we will likely have more attendees than noted here. Note: if you are asked to pay and upgrade the Meetup app, this is not necessary. You can ignore this and still attend our meetings. Find us on our [Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1EKw86WJCp/?mibextid=wwXIfr).