Welcome to S.A. Esperia!

S. A. Esperia is the study association for the study of European Languages and Cultures at the University of Groningen. Since the 12th of April 2013 the association organises academic and fun activities for students of the study program in Groningen. Become a member and join the fun!

Study Association Esperia connects all students from the study program European Languages and Cultures in Groningen with student life and academia. All language tracks of the study programme are represented by Esperia and all ELC students can become a member to join our fun and academic activities. Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us about them.

 Study Association Esperia organises academic activities such as fieldtrips to the European or Dutch parliament. In addition, Esperia organises lectures on topics related to the study program. Check out our events calendar for any upcoming activities! 
And if you want, you can become an Esperian for a day. Send a text to our lovely Itern Jildou (+316 22001625) to arrange something. 

Welcome to European Languages and Cultures!

Date: Friday 29 August 2025
Time: 10.00 – 13:30
Location: TBA

The Bachelor programme European Languages and Cultures officially starts with the Introduction Day, in which you will get the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the programme and the supporting organisation, but also meet your academic mentor, your first-year work group and the student mentors.

ELC Introduction Morning Cohort 2025-2026
– – Itinerary Friday 29th of August 2025 – –

10:00 – 10:40 – By Anja Schuppert, Vera Alexander, Deirdre Harmsen and the Board of S.A. Esperia

• Warm welcome to the programme

• Welcome by mentor programme coordinator and explanation mentor programme

• Introduction to Programme by study advisor
  How to contact the study advisor
  Information about studying with a functional impairment
  BSA

• Introduction Esperia

10:40 – 11:00 – By secretariat and Study Advisor

• Break & Language check

11:00 – 12:00 – By Michaela Carriere

• Plenary Intercultural Awareness Training

– – BREAK – – 

12:30 – 13:30 – By Academic Mentors and Student Mentors

• Mentor meetings per group

Join our Introduction Camp!

Study Association Esperia organises an introduction camp from the 29th of August till the 31st of August 2025. We will be going to an accomodation in Grollo, Drenthe. We will leave together after the general introduction day for ELC and travel there as a group. All ELC students can sign up to join the introduction camp by filling in this form.

Disclaimer: there is no hazing involved, only fun

The price for the camp is cheaper for members. In case you would like to become a member, you can sign up through the following link: https://www.svesperia.nl/become-a-member/

The price for the camp includes the costs for the location, all food and all the activities during the stay and will  be announced later. You can sign up until the 24th of August. More information and a packinglist will follow after you sign up. In case you have any questions please reach out to bestuur@svesperia.nl and we will gladly answer them for you!

Want to know what an Esperia introduction camp looks like? Check out the aftermovie of last year!

Get to know Groningen with S.A. Esperia!

The Introductionperiod of 2025-2026 will look like this: 

Wednesday 4th of September – Vossenjacht (Fox Hunt)

Costs: free| Location: the city centre Groningen | Time: TBA
In a team you will discover the city, learn a bit about Esperia and meet new people. 

Monday 8th of September – (0,0) Beer Games
Costs: max. €3,- for members, max. €5,- for non-members| Location: Stadspark | Time: 19:30.
Enjoy a nice and relaxing time together with some (0,0) beer or a soda while we play games together! 

Thursday 18th of September –  Jeu-de-Boules
Costs: max. €5,50 for members, €7,50 for non-members | Location: BOEL | Time: 19:30
Ready to play this French game? We will go play Jeu de boules. You can show off your skills or learn the basics.  

Monday 22nd of September – Pub Quiz
Costs: free | Location: Buckshot | Time: TBA
We have organised a nice pubquiz for you. Come play for fun or show off your knowledge. 

Monday 29th of September – Mexican Monday
Costs: max. €9,- for members, €12,- for non-members | Location: Humanistisch Verbond | Time: TBA
What’s nicer than a Mexican Meal on Monday. We will celebrate nice food by eating it 🙂

Wednesday 8th of October – End Party
Costs: free | Location: de Doos | Time: 21:30
The introduction period will come to an end with an amazing party to finish this introduction period with a blast!

Books, books, books!

When you start studying, you obviously need study books. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Below, you will be able to find an overview of the books you need for your first year courses.

Note: The mandatory introduction courses to politics and literature do not require you to have any books. The mandatory introduction courses to linguistics do require you to have a certain book. All information on this book and the language courses books you need in the first year can be found below. 

Be sure to order your books as soon as possible because delivery times can get very extensive since a lot of students around the world need new study books. 

You don’t want to spend a lot of money on books? We get it. Check our FaceBook page ‘Esperia’s Study Books‘. You can buy books from other members or post a request for a needed book. 
Next to that, as an Esperia Member, you can get discount on your study books. Reach out to us if you want to make use of that. 

*Nederlands onderaan*

On this page you will find all the information you want to know about Esperia as a parent. If you do have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact us via the contact form. We are happy to answer all your questions. 
In this document you can find all the information for parents: ENG: information for parents

Nederlands: Op deze pagina vindt u alle informatie over Esperia die u als ouder wilt weten. Mocht u nog andere vragen hebben, neem dan contact met ons op via het contactformulier. We beantwoorden graag al uw vragen. In dit document vind u alle informatie voor ouders: NL: informatie voor ouders