Did you miss month 1?
Click here to catch up on your to-dos for your first month in Belgium.
Week 5: Learn how to navigate life admin in Belgium
Understand tax basics
Although you won't have to do it until you've been living in Belgium since the previous year, you should get familiarized with the system; if you are over 18, even if you have not been working, you will need to file your taxes. Learn the basics on our website.
Learn about family or third-party liability insurance
In case any kind of accident happens, it’s important to make sure you are covered. Read about your options on the IHL website.
Driving in Belgium
Be aware that non-EU licenses are required to be exchanged after 185 days, and it can take up to 6 weeks! Not all countries have a license exchange agreement with Belgium, so be sure to check if your country is recognized. Also, don’t forget to insure your car.
Finding a person to help around the house
Lean about dienstencheques (service vouchers), a means of payment subsidized by the government that allows a private individual to pay an employee of a recognized company for household work, and where to find help around the house.
Get to know useful administrative tools
Download itsme for safely logging into all your accounts, myminfin for keeping all your tax and financial information in the same place, and Doccle to use as your digital inbox for bills and other important papers.
New Dutch Words this Week
Belastingen — Taxes
Inwoner — Citizen/Inhabitant
Bureaucratie — Bureaucracy
Steps to becoming a local
Explore Tweebronnen Library and get a library card
Go to the Tweebronnen Library to check out its quiet reading corner and discover its events and almost free resources. Make sure to check out the taalpunt and get information about language learning. We also recommend that you get your own library card!
Week 6: How to Meet People & Enjoy Life in Belgium
Take a look at the list of upcoming events in IHL
Check out the upcoming events at the International House Leuven. There's plenty to choose from, and beyond info sessions and career activities, we have a lot of social events to join as well.
Check out UiT in Leuven
Bookmark the UiT in Leuven website to stay up to date on cultural activities in the area, from exhibitions and theatre functions to street markets, festivals, activities for children and much more. You might want to get a UiTpas, a card that allows you to do many activities around Leuven while you earn points and eventually gifts and discounts!
Learn about volunteering in Leuven
There's a strong volunteering community in Flanders, and it is most definitely a great way to integrate into the local community. Read about volunteering opportunities here.
Join the Welcome Ambassador Program
Join our Ambassador Program to get matched with a Welcome Host, a friendly Leuven local who can help you settle in and answer all of your questions. If you’re looking to create a sense of belonging and find a strong community in Leuven, we cannot recommend this enough.
Find your sports club
Download the Leuven sports guide to discover all the sports clubs in Leuven and find the one that fits you best.
New Dutch Words this Week
Vrije tijd— Free time
Vereniging— Club/Association
Vrijwilliger— Volunteer
Steps to become a local
Visit a cultural center
Visit a cultural center in Leuven, such as the art museum M right in the historic center of Leuven or attend a performance at 30CC or STUK.
Join an IHL event
Join one of our events to meet new people, both international and local!
Week 7: Practicing Dutch and Learning Languages
Find a Dutch class
It's important you find a class that doesn’t just fit you in schedule, but also in your speed of learning and general language goals. Read our blog on finding a Dutch class to learn more.
Discover conversation groups in the area
Just as taking classes and learning the language in a classroom is important, starting to use it outside of it is just as crucial! Learn about all your options for practicing Dutch in Leuven, from structured conversation groups to fun social activities!
Learn about Flemish educational leave
If you’re taking Dutch classes, you might be able to benefit from the educational leave. Read about it here and learn if you fit the requirements.
Start learning Dutch online
If waiting for the right class is becoming too much or if online lessons are your preferred way of learning, check out these online resources for learning or practicing Dutch.
Resources for children learning Dutch
Read our blog on all the different tips and options for children learning Dutch.
New Dutch Words this Week
Kun je dat herhalen alsjeblief— Can you repeat that please?
Ik oefen Nederlands— I am practicing my Dutch
Nederlandse les— Dutch class
Steps to become a local
Visit the University Library Bell Tower
Enjoy the beautiful views while you learn about the history behind it (bonus points if you read some of the information in Dutch!)
Try ordering in Dutch
We know it might seem like the scariest thing to do, but we promise the sooner you start practicing your Dutch in your daily life, the sooner it will become easier. Here are some phrases you might want to start with:
Een koffie graag = A coffee please
Voor mij een koffie = For me a coffee
Het was lekker, dank je wel = It was delicious, thanks
Week 8: Belgian Healthcare – GPs, Specialists & Pharmacies
Learn all about the healthcare system
First, read and inform yourself as much as you can about the Belgian healthcare system.
Find a doctor
Learn about how to find a GP or family doctor, one of the first things you should do when you arrive in Belgium.
Find a dentist
Find here all you need to know before choosing a dentist and how to find one, as it might not be that easy sometimes.
Find a pharmacist
Check out the list of pharmacies in your neighborhood and learn everything you should know about pharmacies in Belgium.
Know the emergency service numbers
Save this page in case of an emergency! You can also visit the International House Leuven for a card that has all the emergency numbers on it. Remember: in case of life-threatening situations, call 112.
New Dutch Words this Week
Huisarts— General practitioner (GP)
Apotheek— Pharmacy
Tandarts— Dentist
Steps to become a local
Discover the Great Beguinage
After all these exhausting healthcare-related phone calls and efforts, you might be craving a quiet day in a beautiful landmark. We recommend you check out the Groot Begijnhof (Great Beguinage), which dates from the 13th century and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. The visit is free of charge!
Join a sports team or gym class
A great way to become integrated and meet other people, both Belgian and international, is to join a sports team or a gym class (bonus points if you introduce yourself in Dutch!)
Congrats, you made it through your second month!
Although by now Leuven is starting to feel more like home, there are still moments of uncertainty. That is completely normal. Settling into a new place takes time, and every small step you take brings you closer to the day you wake up and feel adjusted to your new life.
Do not worry if you are reading this a bit later. Move through these tips at your own pace, revisit what you might have missed, and focus on what feels useful for you.
Take a moment to appreciate how far you have come, and do not forget to enjoy yourself in the meantime.
Onto Month Three
All done? Read about what to do during your third month in Leuven.
And should you have any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to the International House Leuven. You can send us an email at internationalhouse@leuven.be or come to our office on Tuesdays from 10:00-16:00 at Bondgenotenlaan 103.