To keep the holiday spirit strong, Gopher is going abroad for a Christmas Market Trip. From Groningen (UMCG) we will travel together by coach to the beautiful city of Bremen. There you will have the choice to go around and enjoy the festive market stalls by yourself, with your friends or in Gopher company. We will provide soft drinks and snacks on the bus (coffee and tea will be available for €1) and a warm Glühwein or a hot chocolate at the Christmas Market itself.

Due to the popularity of the event, all places are already filled up, BUT if 20 or more people are on our waiting list we will consider renting a bigger bus or even a second one. Be aware though we cannot promise anything for those who sign up for our waiting list.

Date: Saturday, December 10th
Time: 08:15 - 20:00
Location: Main entrance UMCG
Price: € 20 PhDs / € 25 non-PhDs

This event is full, please sign up for our waiting list!

Our last Sunday afternoon was a great success a lot of werewolves showed up and a lot of villagers were killed. If you want to join in all of this collective fun then put on your winter jacket, get out your winners mentality and join us the day after the Christmas Market for a nice and chilled board game afternoon. This time we will set up a large table for "A Ticket To Ride" a game which your board members love. Where will the trains take you?

Besides the great collection of games present in café De Boom, you may also bring your own games to challenge your fellow PhD students. 

Date: Sunday, December 11th
Time: 16:00 - 19:00
Location: Café de Boom,Rodeweg 1
Price: Free of charge

Holidays are approaching quickly and we also have our potluck dinner coming up in January. Oh no help, I don’t know how to cook, we hear some of our lovely PhD colleagues thinking out loud. Luckily we have the perfect solution for you!

Gopher is running its very first cooking workshop! Join us as our expert chef Carl guides you through a 3-meal and 4-hour culinary experience!

Here is what the workshop will cover:

• Basic knife skills and cooking techniques
• Thai yellow chicken curry with brown jasmine rice (recipes will also be given for other Thai curry pastes)
• Spiced lamb meatballs with a Moroccan style chickpea stew and couscous
• Lemony prawn, chilli and spinach spelt spaghetti

In addition to these three lovely dishes, you will also learn some basic kitchen techniques and of course you may enjoy your freshly cooked dishes afterwards or take them home for later. Don’t miss out on this tasty opportunity to gain some new skills that you can use to impress your friends at future dinner events!

Date: Saturday, December 17th
Time: Session 1: 9h -13h
          Session 2: 14h30 - 18h30
Location: De Wolkenfabriek (Energieweg 10, 9743 AN Groningen)
Price: € 50 for PhDs / € 55 for non PhDs

Spots are limited, so register quickly through this FORM.

As a final event of the year a nice and cozy Christmas Borrel will be organized during which some typical Dutch Christmas bites will be provided. Since we all have big hearts but small wallets, a secret Santa will be present for everyone! Bring an original gift of 5€ or something you make yourself to surprise an unknown PhD colleague. During some team games the gifts will be distributed under the enjoyment of some Christmas Borrels and good company.

Date: Thursday, December 22nd
Time: From 20h00 onwards
Location: TBA
Price: Free Of Charge

Registration will open soon, stay tuned!

 

PhD students don't always get the chance to take an extensive winter holiday. However, we want everyone to feel festive and get that warm Christmas feeling which is so needed in these cold winter times. We will temporarily open a special platform to encourage get-togethers during the time at which most peers won't be around. Here we will open polls to get an idea of what people want or miss and we will announce our Dutch Christmas dinner.

 

Our first members initiative is still up and running. Every week a group of motivated PhD students train together and  keep each other motivated! Keep up the good work guys! If you want to join the Gopher running club follow them on their separate Facebook page to keep posted on when they plan to go running and where they are going to be meeting.
 

 

Oh yes, we are doing it! Uniting the many salsa loving PhDs in our city to go out for a dancing evening/course/party together. Whether you are looking for a dancing partner, are completely new and want to learn or just want some company, everyone is welcome to shake their booties.The first Gopher Salsa club event will be announced in December on the separate Facebook page!