Internationals and expats in Leuven (by International House)

Co-work & Co-create together: teamwork makes the dream work!

Join us at the IHL for a fun co-working day! Our goal is to create a space where people can come together and work in a shared environment. Whether you're tackling a professional project, pursuing a personal goal, or diving into a creative venture, we want you here! Enjoy free coffee, tea, water, Wi-Fi and extension cables to keep you connected and productive. Come create and motivate with us!

Agenda: 20-50 minutes of focused work, followed by a 10-15 minute chat break (tracked by a visual timer), repeat.

What to bring: Yourself and your work!

What we have: coffee water and tea for free, an honesty bar for soft drinks (everything is 2€)

Registration: Required via Meetup so we know how many people to expect!

Maximum capacity: 20 people

About the volunteers:
Kevin is a self-proclaimed productivity nerd on a mission to work smarter, not harder, while fostering an inclusive community that kicks loneliness to the curb! He knows firsthand how easy it is to turn into a potato and binge-watch cat videos instead of getting things done. That’s why he’s super excited to roll up his sleeves, make real progress on projects, and build connections and friendships along the way—because who says productivity can’t be fun? Having lived in Leuven for five years, he’s ready to share ideas, inspire others, and create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive together. Let’s turn those “meh” moments into “heck yeah!” achievements!

Kinga is from Poland, but has lived in Leuven for almost 5 years at this point. She knows the city from the perspective of both the student and the professional. She enjoys learning and exploring new topics, and her list of “Oh, I’d like to know more about that” keeps getting longer. The biggest challenge, however, is actually sitting down and getting things done. It’s just way too easy to postpone it until tomorrow. She says, "Since I can’t rely on my motivation, I choose to create an environment that inspires me not to procrastinate."

Rebecca Poulsen, an expat from ths USA, is hosting a grief support group at IHL. During her time in Belgium, she has had her fair share of losses. From losing her father suddenly, a niece unexpectedly, a grandmother, a friend, and family pets, she has learned a lot about grief.

The goal of this group is to provide support to those going through grief no matter how old or new. Whether your loss is recent or 10 years ago, this space is for you. Grief doesn’t have a set timer on when it ends, but rather is incorporated into your life.. This will be a space for you to share your story and feelings and listen to others as well. I hope this space will provide some comfort and connection to those going through a difficult loss. Rebecca will bring a baked treat for everyone to enjoy and IHL has free coffee and tea and soft drinks for purchase at the honesty bar (everything is 2 euros).

Schedule/Topics for the rest of the year:
15 Dec. Grief group:
Holiday food gathering – let's share food together to celebrate the holidays. We can talk about traditions we had with our passed loved ones, food they would make, traditions they upheld, what we miss most about sharing the holiday with them all while we share yummy food together.

NOTE: Rebecca is not a certified therapist but will moderate this group and create space for people to share their stories. While not a therapist herself, she has attended many therapy sessions and has gained a number of skills when it comes to dealing and managing grief. She hopes to share these skills with those that attend the group.

We will be limiting this group to 10 people (at least to start) so that everyone has a chance to share their thoughts. If there is a high demand for this group, I will consider increasing the amount of meetings each month so that others may also participate.

By attending this group, you are not obligated to share your story. If you wish to come and simply listen, this space is for you. You only need to share your story when you feel comfortable and ready.

Ever find yourself mulling over life's big questions after a long day? Like what it means to live well, or why anything matters at all? You're not alone! Come pull up a chair, grab a drink, and join a friendly bunch of curious minds for some thoughtful conversation.

This group is all about creating a relaxed, welcoming space where we can explore meaningful questions together. No lectures, no gatekeeping, just a chance to hear different perspectives, share your own, and maybe walk away with a few new ideas (or at least a better question than the one you started with).

No philosophy background required, just an open mind and a willingness to chat (or just listen). Each session loosely centers on a topic picked by the group from suggestions we all pitch in (via a dedicated WhatsApp group). Themes can range from love and hate, to society and politics, family and friendship, harmony and conflict, and beyond.

For those interested, you're welcome to join the WhatsApp group - just ask Nicolas, Det or Reinier at one of the meetings.