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!

Welcome to European Languages and Cultures!

Date: Friday 1 September 2023
Time: 10.00 – 13.30
Location: Geertsemazaal, Academy Building (Broerstraat 5 Groningen)

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 2023-2024
– – Itinerary Friday 1st of September 2023 – –

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 secretariat and Study Advisor

• 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 1st till the 3rd of September 2023. We will be going to the Dutch island Schiermonnikoog, where we will be staying in an accomodation. We will leave together after the general introduction day for ELC and board the boat to the island as a group. All ELC students can sign up to join the introduction camp by clicking here: https://forms.gle/hUnZXqMXRhTj9s2o7

Disclaimer: there is no hazing involved, only fun

The price for the camp is a maximum of €72,- for members and €80,- for non-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, all the activities during the stay, and the boat tickets to and from Schiermonnikoog. You can sign up until the 27th 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 Introduction camp looks like? Check out the aftermovie of last year!

Get to know Groningen with S.A. Esperia!

The Introduction Committee has planned some fun activities throughout September and October. 

Wednesday 6th of September – Crazy 88
No costs | Throughout the city
There are no sign-up forms available yet

During this Crazy 88 you will be divided in groups based on your chosen major language, and you will be doing a bunch of fun activities, such as eating an eierbal (a delicacy from Groningen), fist bump random people or going to the top of the Forum to sing a song. Each activity can earn you a certain amount of points, so the more (or harder) activities you do, the more chance you have of winning! Even if you don’t win, it is still a fun way to get to know some of your classmates and other first years that chose the same language as you. 

Tuesday 19th of September – Bowling
Members: €7,- | Non-members: €9,50 | location: Kardinge  
There are no sign-up forms available yet

Get to know your fellow students better, while showing off your bowling skills during our bowling activity. 

Wednesday 27th of September – Party
No costs | location: ‘t Vaatje
There are no sign-up forms available yet

Halfway through the introduction period, we will throw a themed party at ‘t Vaatje. This party is for all first years, as well as Esperia’s other members! Come to this party dressed up as something that starts with the first letter of your name!

Wednesday 5th of October – Pub Lecture
No costs | location: Buckshot Café
There are no sign-up forms available yet

We have organised two lectures for you regarding the classes you will follow in the first block, which are Studying Europe and Intro to Linguistics. The lectures will be given by your professors, and you can ask all questions you have for your upcoming exams.

Wednesday 18th of October – End Dinner
Members: €14,- | Non-members max. €15,50- | location: Restaurant Vapiano
There are no sign-up forms available yet

The introduction period will come to an end with a nice dinner at Vapiano.

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, and where to order them.

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. 

*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