Meet. Connect. Belong.
A student-led project at FH Aachen
Meet. Connect. Belong. brings students and staff together through conversations, shared activities and new perspectives.
The events are developed and organised by a team of international students at FH Aachen. The project is coordinated by the Coordination Office for Diversity and Equal Opportunities and funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Meet someone new. Connect through conversation. Belong to a more connected university community.
About the project
Why Meet. Connect. Belong.?
FH Aachen brings together people from different countries, cultures, backgrounds and experiences. Yet being part of the same university does not automatically mean that we meet beyond our familiar groups, courses or areas of work.
Sometimes, all it takes to change this is a simple conversation.
Meet. Connect. Belong. creates welcoming opportunities for students and staff to meet outside formal teaching, advisory and administrative settings. Each event offers a different way to exchange experiences, discover shared interests and connect with people they might not otherwise meet.
For staff, the events are an opportunity to gain insight into different student perspectives and experiences. For students, they offer a chance to meet people beyond their usual courses and social circles. Everyone can contribute to making FH Aachen a more open and connected community.
Our goals
We want to:
- bring together people with different backgrounds and experiences;
- encourage conversations beyond familiar social circles;
- create space for different perspectives;
- question assumptions and first impressions;
- make it easier to approach and talk to new people;
- strengthen a sense of belonging at FH Aachen.
Our events
Throughout the semester, Meet. Connect. Belong. offers different ways to connect — through conversations, languages, books, personal stories, food and music.
The events are mainly held in English, but perfect English is not required. The focus is on meeting people, listening and sharing experiences.
Students and staff are welcome. All events are free of charge.
Speed Friending
From small talk to real connections´
- 17 September 2026
- 18:00–20:00
- Chico Mendes, Pontstraße 74–76, 52062 Aachen
- Free of charge
- No registration required
What is Speed Friending?
Think speed dating — but without the dating.
Speed Friending is an easy and informal way to meet new people. Instead of looking for a romantic connection, the focus is on conversation, shared interests and meeting people from different backgrounds.
You will talk to another participant for a short time before moving on to the next conversation. Over several rounds, you will meet different people in one evening.
The conversations begin with easy icebreakers and gradually move beyond small talk. Optional questions will help you get started, and we will introduce a few simple techniques for approaching someone new and keeping a conversation going.
You do not need to prepare anything or have any previous networking experience. Come alone, bring a friend or join us with your study group or a colleague.
What to expect
- short conversations with different people;
- a new conversation partner in each round;
- optional questions and conversation prompts;
- interactive activities;
- opportunities to discover shared interests;
- food and drinks;
- time to continue conversations in a relaxed atmosphere.
The event will mainly be held in English, but all levels of English are welcome. The focus is on connecting with people, not on speaking perfectly.
No registration is required. Just drop by!
Upcoming events
More opportunities to meet, connect and exchange perspectives are planned throughout the semester:
- Speed Friending – October 2026
- Book Club – October 2026
- Speed Friending – November 2026
- Human Library – November 2026
- Book Club – December 2026
Dates, locations and further details will be added as soon as they are confirmed. If registration is required for an individual event, this will be clearly indicated in the event information.
Stay connected
Follow the project
More events and new opportunities to connect are coming throughout the semester.
Follow @fh.aachen.chancen on Instagram for upcoming dates, announcements and insights into the project.
You can also check this website regularly for confirmed events and further information.