Is a five-month exchange “less than half a year” for ACLO?

ACLO's rule is “studying here for less than half a year”. A one-semester exchange usually falls under it. If your exchange is close to six months, ask ACLO at the desk which rate applies before you buy.

Can I join a club for just one semester?

Often yes, but you usually pay the fee for the season. Student rugby club G.S.R.C. has exchange students who play for half a year. Ask the club whether they have a half-year or training-only membership.

What can I do without any card?

Stadspark parkrun (free, Saturday 9:00), the swimming pools and bouldering halls (pay per visit), and a gym day pass. ACLO also sells a day pass, once per academic year.

I arrive in February. Am I too late?

No. The second semester has its own ACLO card from 1 February and new course periods. The ice season at Kardinge runs until late March.

Guide for internationals

Sports in Groningen for exchange students

Here for one semester? You have about five months. Here's how to make the most of them without paying for a year.

The short version

€134,95ACLO for one semester if you study here less than half a year (instead of €59,95).
€9,95An ACLO day pass to try first, once per academic year. Buy a full card the same day and you get it back.
FreeStadspark parkrun, every Saturday at 9:00, with coffee at the finish.

Arriving in September or February

September

KEI week and the ESN introduction: the moment to meet people.
Clubs start their season and student associations hold introduction weeks.
Buy the ACLO card for the first semester, or try a day pass first.

February

A new ACLO semester card from 1 February, and new course periods.
Indoor season: halls, pools, bouldering, and the Kardinge ice rink until 21 March.
Clubs take new members mid-season; just ask for a trial.

What a semester costs

Four months of sport, all options side by side.

Option	4 months	Good to know
ACLO card (student rate)	€59,95	Gym on weekdays: +€45 a semester, +€70 a year.
ACLO card (here less than half a year)	€134,95	The rate for exchange students staying under six months.
SPR (staff of the university and Hanze)	€120	€10 a month, minimum one year. Uses the ACLO facilities.
Cheapest gym (Campo Health Center)	€166	Campo Health Center Onbeperkt fitness, 3 maanden for 4 months; Basic-Fit Comfort, jaarabonnement for a year, including registration fees and the minimum term. Compare all 11
Football club (V.V. Mamio)	€200	Clubs charge per season: the fee is the same if you stay four months.
Swimming once a week	€98,60	From €5,80 a visit at Zwembad De Parrel. All pools
Bouldering once a week	€161,50	From €9,50 a visit at Gropo, shoe rental extra.
Stadspark parkrun	Free	Every Saturday at 9:00.

Totals for training once a week (17 or 52 visits) where you pay per visit. Prices checked in October 2026 on the providers' own sites.

Clubs for a semester

These clubs say internationals are welcome. Ask about a half-year or training-only membership before you sign up.

Open to everyone

Open Yoga

Classes in English

One of the teachers gives classes in English. Source: openyoga.nl
Balletschool Wanda Kuiper

Internationals welcome

English-speaking students are welcome, and there is a classical ballet class for beginners for internationals. Source: wandakuiperballet.com
V.V. Mamio

Internationals welcome

A football club for adults of all levels where international players come together. €200 a year, or €100 for training only. Source: vvmamiogroningen.nl
Gronical Dizziness

Internationals welcome

Ultimate frisbee: mostly Dutch members, but also many from abroad. Students can start with a free five-week course via ACLO. Source: ACLO

Student associations (ACLO card needed)

Tandje Hoger

Internationals welcomeStudents RUG/Hanze

Student cycling association with an English section for internationals and a welcome course for beginners. Source: tandjehoger.com
G.S.R. Aegir

Internationals welcomeStudents RUG/Hanze

Student rowing club: all students are welcome, including international students. Source: gsraegir.nl
G.S.S.V. Donar 1881

Internationals welcomeStudents RUG/Hanze

Fencing: about half of the members are international. Normal sportswear is enough for a first training. Source: ESN Groningen
V.V. Kroton

Internationals welcomeStudents RUG/Hanze

Volleyball: a third of the members are international, and the club is open to non-members too. Source: ESN Groningen
GSIJV The Bulldogs

Internationals welcomeStudents RUG/Hanze

Ice hockey: male and female students of all levels, from all over the world. Source: ESN Groningen
De Groene Uilen-Moestasj

Internationals welcomeStudents RUG/Hanze

Basketball: calls itself internationally oriented, with teams at almost every level and a training-only option. Source: ESN Groningen
G.S.P.V. De NoordPole

Internationals welcomeStudents RUG/Hanze

Pole dance: weekly classes at your own level, for Dutch and international students. Source: ESN Groningen
G.S.R.C. (rugby)

Internationals welcomeStudents RUG/Hanze

Student rugby club with a growing number of international members; exchange students also play for half a year. Source: gsrc.nl
De Mattekloppers

Internationals welcomeStudents RUG/Hanze

Jiu-jitsu, systema and judo: members from all over Europe, beginners on the same mat as competitors. Source: ESN Groningen

This week

At clubs where internationals are welcome

Today17:45 Klassiek ballet midden niv 18+/volwDance · Balletschool Wanda KuiperInternationals welcome Go together
Tomorrow20:45 Classical ballet basic/beginners. internationalsDance · Balletschool Wanda KuiperClass for internationals Go together

Open to everyone, beginners welcome

Saturday09:00Stadspark parkrun5 km run, walk or jog · Stadspark · freeEvery week
Today19:00 MaandaggroepRunning · Groningen AtletiekTrial possible Go together
Today19:15 Trimzwemmen beginnendSwimming · Groninger Zwemvereniging TriViaBeginners welcome Go together
Today20:00 Langzwaard Beginners + RekrutenMulti-sport · MARS - Vechtschool voor middeleeuwse krijgskunsten Noord-NederlandTrial possible Go together
Today20:15 Maandagavond recreanten publieksuurIce skating · STV EemsmondTrial possible Go together
Tomorrow18:30 Beginners DinsdagDance · Dansschool PendulumTrial possible Go together
Tomorrow20:30 Dames WeerbaarheidstrainingMartial arts · Go SmartsTrial possible Go together
Wednesday18:00 Dance FitnessFitness · RhythMotion Dance Fitness · €10 a visitTrial possible Go together
Wednesday19:30 BasistrainingCanoe & SUP · Groninger Kano VerenigingBeginners welcome Go together

Class pages open in Dutch, as the clubs publish them; your browser can translate them. “Go together” starts a group in English that others can join.

Don't go alone

Five months go fast. Start a group in English and meet people from the first week.

Sport together Start a group

Questions

Is a five-month exchange “less than half a year” for ACLO?: ACLO's rule is “studying here for less than half a year”. A one-semester exchange usually falls under it. If your exchange is close to six months, ask ACLO at the desk which rate applies before you buy.
Can I join a club for just one semester?: Often yes, but you usually pay the fee for the season. Student rugby club G.S.R.C. has exchange students who play for half a year. Ask the club whether they have a half-year or training-only membership.
What can I do without any card?: Stadspark parkrun (free, Saturday 9:00), the swimming pools and bouldering halls (pay per visit), and a gym day pass. ACLO also sells a day pass, once per academic year.
I arrive in February. Am I too late?: No. The second semester has its own ACLO card from 1 February and new course periods. The ice season at Kardinge runs until late March.

Checked on 25 Oct 2026

Everything on this page comes from the clubs' and organisations' own pages. Times and fees change; the club's own site has the last word. Is your club welcoming to internationals, or do you train in English? Let us know.

Sources (12)