This article originally appeared on The Northern Times written by Traci White

As the new academic years is about to get underway, City Central is introducing a way for recently arrived international students to get their bearings in the city of Groningen: Welcome Walks.

The Welcome Walks, which are free and will be held in Selwerd on Saturday 7 and 14 September, are a way for new international students to get to know their neighbourhood from a local perspective. The walks will be led by members of GroningenLife! and will introduce participants to neighbourhood centres, volunteer projects and will share practical information and fun activities in the area.

The first tour participants will be the residents of the Kornoeljestraat, and another tour will be organised for residents in Paddepoel in October. According to a press release from City Central, the walks may also eventually be extended to foreign professionals and PhD candidates in the future.

Marian Counihan of City Central says that the goal of the walks is to help new international residents “make a good start” and integrate more easily in the local community by participating in neighbourhood projects.

The Welcome Walks are another addition to City Central’s activities aimed to help newcomers get to know the city, such as biking lessons through FietsFriend and My Local Friend, where city residents are partnered up with new arrivals to show them around and make social connections.

Are you an international student living in Selwerd of Paddepoel? Head to http://citycentralgroningen.eventbrite.com to register!