Did you miss months 1 & 2?
Catch up on your to-do list for month 1 here.
Catch up on your to-do list for month 2 here.
Week 9: Career support and finding a job in Belgium
Learn about the formalities
First, get informed. Read about all the formalities related to working in Belgium before you start looking for a job.
Read tips for job seekers in Belgium
Check out this blog written by one member of the IHL community regarding what he learned as a recent graduate and job seeker at last year’s Expatival event.
Learn about work permits
Learn about the most common work permits in Belgium, the professional card for freelancers and self-employed and the single permit for employees.
Do you want to stay in Belgium after you graduate?
For non-EU, EEA, or Swiss nationals who have studied in Belgium, the search year permit allows you to stay in the country while you look for a job.
Register for an IHL workshop
From webinars for improving your CV and motivation letters or your LinkedIn profile, career bootcamps, co-working and co-creating spaces, and interactive meetups with expert coaches. Check out our upcoming career activities and events.
New Dutch Words this Week
Vacature— Job opening
Medewerker— Employee
Ik zoek een baan — I am looking for a job
Steps to become a local
Take a trip to the Arenberg Castle
Visit the Arenberg Castle, now owned by KU Leuven and part of the STEM faculties, located in a beautiful park just outside the city.
Update your CV
Week 10: Feel like a local in Leuven
Go to the local markets
Check out all the local markets in and around the city. There's one almost every day of the week!
Download these must-have apps
If you haven’t yet, make sure to download the apps from this list that you need.
Read our tips on befriending the Flemish
If you are struggling with making connections with the locals, don’t worry; you are not alone. Read this guide on how to make friends with Flemish people, written from the experience of an international.
Learn about the cultural differences in communication
Cross-cultural communication is not a joke. As internationals, we often make the mistake of overlooking how language is not the only barrier in communication, culture is just as important. Read about how to navigate these cultural differences in communication, so nothing ever gets lost in translation.
Are you into gardening?
If you enjoy gardening but you have no space for it, you need to know that doing it in the city is a possibility. Learn all about gardening in Leuven.
New Dutch Words this Week
Tuin— Garden
Boekentil— Community bookcase
Terrasje doen — Having a drink on a terrace
Steps to become a local
Explore the botanical garden
The botanical garden in Leuven is the oldest one in Belgium. Now a beautiful green space to visit, it was once used by university students to grow medical herbs.
Treat your inner foodie
Food is a big part of every culture. Waffles, chocolate, stoofvlees (Flemish beef stew), fries, and beer are all key parts of Belgian culture. Discover where to taste some Belgian classics.
Week 11: Missing home? This email can help cure the homesickness blues
Cook your favorite meal from home
Nothing like a meal you love from your culture to make you feel better and closer to home. Check out this list of international stores in Leuven where you can find ingredients from your home country.
It is normal to struggle
You are not alone. Moving away from home has its hard downside, and feeling down sometimes is part of the deal. Take a look at these tips from mental health professionals on how to take care of yourself when living abroad.
Get involved in local volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the local community, and it can help you connect with others when you’re feeling alone. Discover how you can volunteer in Leuven.
Join IHL social activities
If you want to meet other internationals, there's no better way than joining one of our many social activities.
Find mental health support if you need it
We all need mental health support at one point in our lives, and asking for help is the best thing you can ever do. If you are struggling with living abroad and the challenges this can bring, or if you just feel you need a little extra mental health support right now, read this blog on how to find a psychologist in Belgium.
New Dutch Words this Week
Maaltijd— Meal
Psycholoog— Psychologist
Gemeenschap — Community
Steps to become a local
In need of a quiet place to reflect?
Discover the many churches, abbeys, and beguinages in Leuven for a quiet place to think and slow down.
Move your body to feel good
Moving your body is always a good thing to do, especially if you are not feeling that great mentally. Go for a cycling trip and clear your mind while you explore the beautiful surroundings.
Week 12: You Made It! What’s Next After the First 3 Months?
Continue meeting people
Keep learning Dutch
While many people speak English here in Leuven and there is a big international community, learning Dutch is essential to become truly integrated, and it is very helpful to meet new people. Discover all our resources for learning Dutch.
Look ahead
If you are planning to stay in Belgium on the long term, make sure you educate yourself on all the possibilities to do so. Check out the IHL Registration & Immigration page to prepare yourself and learn about your options.
Stay up to date on local news
Knowing what’s happening where you live is very important. VRT News has an English site that reports on all things going on in Belgium.
Join the Ambassador Program
Join our Ambassador Program to be paired with a welcome buddy to show you around the area, introduce you to new people, and help you with all your newcomer questions.
Bonus tip!
Subscribe to the monthly IHL newsletter if you haven’t already to stay up to date on all upcoming events, important policy changes that impact internationals, learn Flemish words, and more!
New Dutch Words this Week
Inburgering— Integration
Gemeente— Municipality
Toekomst— Future
Recommendations for the local you already are
Check out IHL’s Things to do around Leuven page for inspiration and places to visit around the area, and learn all about the different shops in Leuven and why some of them are so special.
Congratulations! You have made it through your first three months!
Give yourself props; this is a huge milestone you just hit!
While you’ve already completed the challenging first three months, we have much more to share with you. Sign up for our monthly newsletter if you haven’t already, follow IHL on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Meetup.
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.
We hope to see you at future events. Best of luck in this new and exciting chapter of your life in Leuven!