Many of the international students, faculty and staff bring their families along with them when they move to Delft. While the partners are busy all day on campus, the families find themselves at loose ends.
Fortunately, the International Neighbor Group provides an alternative to sitting home alone.
The International Neighbor Group hosts a variety of activities designed to help families find a new community. From language and cooking classes, to arts and craft sessions, to weekend day trips, there is something for nearly everyone.
Patricia “Patty” Van Woerden is one of the main volunteers running the group. She explained, “These families come as individuals, rather than as a group, and so they feel a bit lost. We give them a place to come and make friends. They can just hang out or take part in the activities. Our main goal is to provide support for the families.”
All of the activities are designed to help the families overcome language and cultural barriers that might otherwise keep them apart. Van Woerden shared, “[The arts and crafts sessions] keep their hands busy and give the women a way to interact without needing to speak.”
Kerry Dankers has been coming to the group for nearly three years now. She said, “We have people from all over the world. When someone new comes, they can usually find someone else who speaks their language. That can help them to meeting others.” Kerry, her husband Arne (a PhD student) and their daughter have also participated in the weekend outings. “It has been a great way for us to get a guided tour of the sights around the Delft area.”
The International Neighbor Group is entirely managed by volunteers, and each brings their own specialty. Some teach introductory Dutch classes while other native speakers offer basic and advanced English lessons. There are both daytime and evening activities, so everyone can have a chance to participate.
Membership in the group is free for people connected to TU Delft. There is a small fee for materials or outings, but the University subsidizes a majority of the costs. You can see a calendar of their activities and find out more about how to join on the TU Delft website.
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