Working Abroad

Work changes fast. Last week we were all about Agile and today AI is changing how we get things done. It’s important to keep refining our practices to boost team collaboration and effectiveness. Rather than rolling out another big transformation, Atlassian has decided to take a test- driven approach to experimenting with new ways of working, letting teams try things out in a safe space. We’ll talk about how to design and run work experiments, check the results, make any necessary tweaks, and share what works with the rest of the organization. Sven will show how this approach has been applied to improve meetings, make decision-making clearer, and create better feedback loops for Atlassian software teams. And hey, not every experiment is a win; He will also share some of their flops. Focusing on evidence instead of just opinions can build a culture that embraces change and innovation. So, let’s improve the way we work—one experiment at a time. **Schedule**: 17:00 Doors open 18:00 Dinner 19:00 Start presentation 20.00 Drinks

\# This meetup is around a third\-party organizer\, Focus Filmtheater\. You can either purchase your ticket online or right before the session\. **Seats are numbered**. # **Title**: Treat Her Like a Lady **Language**: Dutch **Subtitles**: English **Length**: 110 min **Director**: Paloma Aguilera Valdebenito **More info**: https://www.focusarnhem.nl/agenda/english-subs-treat-her-like-a-lady/ **Ticket link**: https://www.focusarnhem.nl/tickets/144301/ **Synopsis:** When single mother Sandra (radiant performance from Nienke Plas) is evicted from her apartment due to fraud, she convinces her daughters that their emergency shelter is a holiday hotel. Sandra is just about keeping it together. Living with her two daughters and partner in a modest but colourful Amsterdam apartment, she makes ends (mostly) meet through cleaning jobs and welfare payments. But when she’s faced with a rapidly mounting series of hurdles – unpaid bills, an accusation of fraud, the revelation that her partner has been cheating – Sandra must draw upon all her determination and creativity to keep her daughters out of social care. An effervescent second feature from Dutch filmmaker and writer Paloma Aguilera Valdebenito (Out of Love, IFFR 2016), this jewel of a film offers poignant criticism of a broken social system with all the vibrancy and optimism of a musical. Nienke Plas is masterful in her central performance as the matriarch, whose fortitude, boldness and charisma bring to mind the best of Almodóvar’s heroines. Featuring a gorgeously saturated colour palette and a fabulous needle-drop soundtrack, Treat Her Like a Lady demonstrates how warmth and resilience can transform the most desperate situations into fresh opportunities for laughter and light. **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!

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

We are excited to announce our next **Utrecht JUG** meetup on **June 3rd** hosted by **Keylane**. Join us for an evening full of creativity, innovation, and practical insights from the Java and Spring ecosystem. As always, you can expect inspiring talks, great conversations, food, drinks, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow developers. We start the evening with food and drinks before diving into our first session, where **Josh Long** and **James Ward** take the stage with *Bootiful Spring AI*. Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming part of modern software development, and this session explores how Spring AI makes integrating AI capabilities into Java applications approachable and powerful. Expect an engaging introduction to modern AI concepts and a practical look at how the Spring ecosystem embraces the next wave of AI engineering. After the break, **Alexander Chatzizacharias** takes Spring Boot far beyond its intended use case. In a talk that combines humor, curiosity, and technical depth, Alexander explores what happens when you use Spring Boot as the foundation for real-time game development. From IoC containers to event listeners, this session offers a fresh and entertaining perspective on the Spring ecosystem and the joy of learning through experimentation. Please join us and RSVP! Because of the limited number of seats, please keep your RSVP up-to-date, so we can welcome someone else if you can't make it. **Timeschedule** 17:00 Doors open 18:00 Food & Drinks 18:45 Bootiful Spring AI by Josh Long & James Ward 19:45 Break 20:00 Let's use Spring Boot to build games, because why not? by Alexander Chatzizacharias 21:00 Drinks **Giveaway** 1 JetBrains licence **Talks** **Let's use Spring Boot to build games, because why not?** If you work on enterprise grade microservices on the JVM, you have undoubtedly heard of Spring Boot. Most developers see it as the reliable backbone of enterprise software. It is stable, predictable, and safe. But what if we took all those conventions and threw them out the window? What if we repurposed the IoC container, event listeners, and bean lifecycles to reveal what Spring Boot was always meant to be? A game development framework! Join Alexander as he attempts to deconstruct and demystify the Spring ecosystem by forcing it to do things it was definitely not designed for. We are not talking about simple text adventures here. We are talking about building complex, real-time games like a Terraria clone or a souls-like RPG, all powered by the same annotations you use for your day job. This session explores what happens when you learn technologies by breaking them. Whether you are a Spring veteran or a newcomer, this talk offers a fresh perspective on the tools you use every day. You will leave with a better understanding of how Spring Boot works under the hood and the inspiration to build something completely unnecessary, just because you can. Come for the absurdity, stay for the laughs, and see what happens when you strip away conventions and best practices in the pursuit of a wild idea. **Bootiful Spring AI** The age of artificial intelligence (because the search for regular intelligence hasn't gone well..) is nearly at hand, and it's everywhere! But is it in your application? It should be. AI is about integration, and here the Java and Spring communities come second to nobody. In this talk, we'll demystify the concepts of modern day Artificial Intelligence and look at its integration with the white hot new Spring AI project, a framework that builds on the richness of Spring Boot to extend them to the wide world of AI engineering. **Speakers** **Alexander Chatzizacharias** Alexander, a 35-year-old Software Engineer at JDriven, holds dual Dutch and Greek nationality. He earned his master’s degree in Game Studies from the University of Amsterdam, where he discovered his passion for gamification and software engineering. Alexander aims to bridge the gap between game development and software engineering, believing that both industries have much to learn from each other. He is dedicated to integrating technologies and methodologies from both fields. Additionally, he enjoys experimenting with new technologies and cutting-edge SDKs. **Josh Long** Josh (@starbuxman) has been the first Spring Developer Advocate since 2010. Josh is a Java Champion, author of seven books (including Reactive Spring), creator of numerous video trainings, open-source contributor, YouTuber, and podcaster. He is a well-known voice in the Spring community and a passionate advocate for Java developers around the world. **James Ward** Professional software developer since 1997, with much of that time spent helping developers build software that doesn't suck. A typed pure functional programming zealot who often compromises on his ideals to just get stuff done. Currently a Developer Advocate for AWS.

Are you an **expat** in **Utrecht** and do you want to **learn how to swim?** Look no further! Dive into **personalized swimming lessons** with **Your Personal Swim Coach**. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or an advanced swimmer seeking to refine your technique, our expert coaches offer **tailored sessions** that fit your needs. **De Kwakel** is a great pool close to the city center, has free parking, and is easy to reach by bus. It's an **amazing learning environment!** **Don't wait any longer:** **[Sign up for a Try Out Lesson!](https://www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl/product/try-out-adult-swimming-lesson/)** Want to learn more first? Go to our **[website](https://www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl/)** or **[schedule a call!](https://calendly.com/ypsc/new-meeting)**

Food connects us, comforts us, and tells stories about who we are. ❤️ Join the Being Well Kitchen's Healthy and Tasty Planet Cooking Club, a project of The Being Well Collective, for a special evening: "Comfort Food for Wellbeing"! This unique event blends intimate storytelling with joyful communal cooking. We'll begin with a sharing circle ice breaker (Bring your own comfort food ingredient), then everyone will join our cooks to help in the kitchen; Together, we'll prepare delicious, tasty, Healthy, and Sustainable comfort food sides and desserts, learning and laughing along the way. 🥣🥖🥗 After nourishing our bodies, we will nourish our minds and spirits with stories, exploring personal stories of how food has been a source of comfort, resilience, and support for wellbeing and mental health. We will end the evening with a short concluding remark from a nutrition and mental health expert. We will prepare free main dishes for everyone. This event is part of the Mental Health Week activities. The event is in partnership with Missie Mentaal and the Alles is Gezondheid team. Thanks for our partner nutrition chef and wellbeing coach Margaux Raynaud for volunteering her time. https://missiementaal.com/ https://margauxraynaud.com/ **Why join?** ✅ Connect deeply with others in your community. ✅ Share your own experiences (only if you feel comfortable!). ✅ Discover the powerful link between food, mood, and mental wellness. ✅ Enjoy a delicious, comforting meal made together. **Event Details:** * **Date:** Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026 * **Time:** 18:00 - 22:00 * **Location:** De Speler Buurcentrum, Thorbeckelaan 18, 3551 BR Utrecht * **Registration:** Event is free - register in the Google form below. Bring in your comfort food/ingredient. We will need the icebreaker, and for cooking :) **Spaces are limited, sign up soon!** * **Agenda:** * 18:00 Walk in and welcome * 18:15 Ice breaker (Remember to bring your comfort ingredient) * 18:30 Improvisation cooking sides and desserts together in groups (Remember to bring your comfort ingredient) * 20:00 Eating together and sharing personal food stories * 21:30 Concluding remarks from expert on food and mental health: Margaux Raynaud * 21:45 Closing and cleaning Come fill your cup (and your bowl!) with connection and comfort. We can't wait to share this experience with you! Fill the form to secure your place! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHgO5iL9FGcMRGEXz-LhLU2SrB8De8-2gM_fZ4UcUgxCsW5A/viewform?usp=publish-editor **#ComfortFoodWellbeing #Utrecht #FoodAndMood #MentalWellness #CommunityKitchen #StorytellingEvent #BeingWellCollective #CookingTogether #HealthyTastyPlanet #WellbeingEvent #UtrechtCommunity #ShareYourStory**

# **Agentic AI in Practice: Real Stories, Real Results** AI agents are moving from hype to real-world use, but what does that actually look like in practice? Join us for our next Brighton AI meetup on **Wednesday 3rd June, 6pm to 8pm**, where we’ll be exploring how people are using agentic AI in real life, not just in theory. This session will focus on practical examples, useful lessons and honest reflections from people putting AI agents to work. We’ll look at how agentic AI is being used to improve workflows, boost productivity, support teams, speed up research, manage tasks, make decisions and get projects moving. ## **Speaker line-up so far** We’ll be joined by: * **Amber**, who will share how she’s using agents to support **personal productivity** * **Thomas Mann from Clawbench**, who will talk about building an **agentic AI start-up** and how to optimise your agents * **Antony from Brilliant Noise**, who will share how agents are being put into **client teams**, and potentially how they’re being used within their own company too Expect short, accessible talks followed by a panel discussion on what’s working, what’s still tricky, and what others can learn from early experiments and real-world implementation. You don’t need a technical background to join. This session is for anyone curious about how AI agents are being used now, what they can help with, and what they might mean for the way we work next.

**Modern and Authentic kintsugi workshop in Utrecht.** Choose from three options: * 1-Day Modern Kintsugi workshop-€60 * 2-Day Modern Kintsugi workshop-€96 * 4-Day Authentic Kintsugi workshop -€180 For all details, please visit my website. [https://japanworkshopnet.com/upcoming-workshops/](https://japanworkshopnet.com/upcoming-workshops/) Location: **CLAY TO PLATE** [Biltstraat 55, 3572 AG, Utrecht](https://www.claytoplate.com/) **Booking is essential**. Please contact me if you would like to participate in the workshop. Email: info@japanworkshopnet.com Mobile:0616059840

'HOMEGOING' by Yaa Gyasi 'Two sisters with two very different destinies. One sold into slavery; one a slave trader's wife. The consequences of their fate reverberate through the generations that follow. Taking us from the Gold Coast of Africa to the cotton-picking plantations of Mississippi; from the missionary schools of Ghana to the dive bars of Harlem, spanning three continents and seven generations, Yaa Gyasi has written a miraculous novel - the intimate, gripping story of a brilliantly vivid cast of characters and through their lives the very story of America itself. Epic in its canvas and intimate in its portraits, Homegoing is a searing and profound debut from a masterly new writer.' ***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

Iedereen is welkom op onze open Freedom Friday Bitcoin Turnhout Meetup @ het super gezellige café Sint Pieter - Grote Markt 60, 2300 Turnhout Geen presentaties. Geen workshops. Gewoon 1 onderwerp: bitcoin. **Connect with Like-Minded Minds** Engage with the Bitcoin community and mingle with fellow enthusiasts. This meetup is your chance to discuss the future, share ideas, and network with pioneers in the decentralized money world. 🏢 **Central Location**: café Sint Pieter ligt perfect centraal, een ruim cafe op de grote markt van Turnhout. Mark your calendars and spread the word!

* We **start at 11:10** in front of Hotel Restaurant de Loenermark: Eerbeekseweg 4, Loenen https://maps.app.goo.gl/4W6e27ij3aqjQnFg6 * Length: \~16 km (4 - 5 hr hiking) * What to bring: lunch, water, snack. * For whom: As always, sporty folks that like to combine social event with being active in nature. **Getting there by bus:** * Bus stop: Loenen, Bruisbeek https://maps.app.goo.gl/863vGKfe8nqBvZfw7 **Getting there by Car:** * Free parking opposite of Groenendaalseweg 15, Loenen https://maps.app.goo.gl/W6213M7LwEQv8PMg6 or Free parking in the streets, close to: Eerbeekseweg 4, Loenen https://maps.app.goo.gl/awWbkpVZJVzxmX859 **Note:** * Please **pay a small fee (3 euro)** to help us cover the (increased) yearly Meetup contribution of 240 euro. We'll ask you to pay before the start of the hike (can be on the day itself). No refunds, but in the unlikely event that hike would be cancelled and you already paid, you don't need to pay for your next hike. Thank you so much! Use the **safe link** here: https://betaalverzoek.rabobank.nl/betaalverzoek/?id=eSkpxZf7TymaoFsvJkBCKQ * Keep in mind that the hike can be canceled when the weather is very bad (**always check the event before you go**). * If you RSVP 'yes' we expect you to show-up. Please do not cancel less than 24 hours before the hike. **No-shows** will lead to your removal from the group. Thanks for the understanding. * By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organizers from any responsibility and liability in all claims. As the participation is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves.

🇳🇱➡️🇧🇪 Brugge Day Tour from Amsterdam \| Discover the Venice of the North Join us for a magical day trip from Amsterdam to the fairy-tale city of Brugge, Belgium — famous for its medieval charm, canals, cobblestone streets, chocolate shops, and beautiful historic architecture. Explore Brugge at a relaxed pace with plenty of free time to wander through the picturesque old town, enjoy Belgian waffles and fries, shop for handmade chocolates and lace, or simply soak in the romantic atmosphere along the canals. ✨ Tour Highlights: • Comfortable round-trip transport from Amsterdam • Visit the UNESCO-listed historic center of Brugge • Scenic canals, medieval squares & charming streets • Free time for shopping, food & photography • Small-group experience with friendly atmosphere Perfect for travelers, expats, photographers, and anyone looking to experience one of Europe’s most beautiful cities in a day. Price: €129 pp incl. returned trip in a private Mercedes minivan, guided tour. 📍 Departure: Amsterdam (Utrecht pick up is available for three or more participants) ⏰ Full-day tour 🎟 Come explore Belgium with us and make unforgettable memories in Brugge!

Monthly working lunch for Columbus business owners. One specific topic, one to three actions you can run this week. You can be the best at what you do and still be invisible. If local buyers cannot find you, the phone does not ring. Marketing Monday Lunch + Learn is a monthly working lunch for Columbus business owners focused on building relationships, local networking, and local marketing. Every kind of local business welcome. No pitch round, no pressure, no upsell. **This month** Most local businesses pick one or two places to be visible and call it good. The result is inconsistent calls and a feeling that marketing is not working. We will walk through the three places every local business needs to show up, plus the fourth place most owners ignore that quietly produces the warmest leads. **What to expect** Doors open at noon. Order lunch and drinks at the cafe counter or bring your own. You get real conversation with other local owners and a focused marketing lesson. You leave knowing people and with one to three actions to run that week. The room is reserved through 1:30 PM. **Who this is for** Any local business owner who wants clearer marketing direction and real local relationships. Service businesses, retail, home services, professional services, online owners building local presence, anyone serious about being part of the Columbus business community. **Not the right fit if** You are here to pitch the room or recruit for an MLM. **Details** * Second Monday of every month * 12:00 to 1:30 PM * Good Cafe Easton, 4400 Easton Commons, Ste 150, Columbus, OH 43219 * Order lunch and drinks at the counter when you arrive * Free to attend, RSVP required, space is limited **About the host** Rita Suzanne is a local marketing strategist and the founder of Local Marketing Method. She runs Visibility is Profitability, the membership where local business owners build the system that keeps their phone ringing. Learn more at learnlocalmarketing.com. Register here: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989964540509?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989964540509?aff=oddtdtcreator)

Hey Everyone! Let's meet at Belle's Bread Bakery and Cafe. There is lots of free parking and easy access to the cafe and many shops and restaurants as well. This is a great way to meet new and old friends while chatting about life and practicing English language speaking skills. All are welcome and encouraged to join us anytime between 11am and 1pm. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

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 enjoy talking to people from other countries, and those who would like to discuss international travel and culture, and who enjoy getting together for good conversations."

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.

Build your network the fun and productive way! We have had THOUSANDS of amazing connections created at our luncheons over the last 9 years! Join us at the brand new North High Brewing, in Downtown Dublin, every 3rd Monday from 11:30am-1pm! The address is: 56 N High St, Dublin, OH 43017 There is plenty of free parking across the street in the Library Parking lot! All are welcome, and there is no charge for the event. Just purchase your own lunch! Whether you are a new networker, or a seasoned networker, you'll feel welcome from the time you arrive, and leave energized with all of your new connections! Arrive at 11:30am to enjoy some open networking in a very cool location! At 11:45am, everyone will be seated, order their own meals, and get to know their new table-mates! Beginning at noon, we provide the opportunity for all participants to be introduced and welcomed to the group. Having a good conversation and want to stay longer? No problem, we have a private room, so stay as long as you like. We do have a limited amount of space, so RSVP right away and please honor your RSVP! I will keep an eye out and close off the event once we reach capacity. See you at lunch! By attending an event with the CONNECTED Networking Group, Become a Better Networker, and/or Chris Borja, you are granting permission to the CONNECTED Networking Group, Become a Better Networker, Chris Borja, and anyone authorized, to have unlimited right, without charge, to use your likeness in photos, videos, recordings and in all media now known or hereafter created to be used and distributed in perpetuity for promotional and publicity purposes. By attending an event you agree to release the CONNECTED Networking Group, Become a Better Networker, Chris Borja, and anyone authorized, their staff, board of directors, members and their partners from any liability.