Internationals and expats in Leuven (by International House)

Looking for a casual after-work activity to meet other internationals (and locals) in Leuven? Our volunteer Reinier will be there to welcome you for an evening of great conversation and delicious Belgian beer (or another drink of your choosing).

Let us know you are joining via Meetup. This way we can easily contact you, via the Meetup chat, in case there are any changes.

The location will be indicated in the event details once decided! :)

International House Leuven organizes a coffee morning for those of you who like to chat and meet some friendly (new) faces. It's also a good place to ask questions, get answers and find out about what’s happening in Leuven. Our coffee morning is what you make it. So pop in and out whenever you like, see who is there, and say hi!

We meet every two weeks on Friday morning, usually at the International House Leuven itself although we tour coffee houses occasionally as well. More on that below.

Who's "we"? Well it varies a bit, but our regular hosts the IH staff members Natalie and/or Anna. Generally we're anything between 5 to 20 participants, a nice mix of regulars and new folks. And we have room for more!

The practicalities:

• the coffee morning goes from 10:30 until noon. Feel free to pop in and out at any point, no need to stay the entire time if that doesn't suit your own timing
• we offer coffee, tea and water. You’re very welcome to bring your own drink as well as our coffee machine is a barista’s nightmare :-)
• we usually meet at the International House Leuven. If we do decide to go someplace else, we notify participants via Facebook, MeetUp and via the WhatsApp group....
• ... feel free to join the whatsapp group (https://chat.whatsapp.com/BB0LPVG9ZvUGkNcYwSzluS) so you can keep up to date with venue changes and other last minute things.
• walk-ins are very welcome too!

Hope to see you at the Friday coffee morning!

PS: If you're keen to host one of the coffee mornings with us, possibly at another time of the week, let us know!

Are you planning to stay in Belgium long term? Then it could be very useful to understand the practicalities and formalities around the topic of death. The session aims to help you get informed, explore a topic that may be taboo in a comfortable environment, and get advice and tips from an expert!

About the event:
We will start by visiting the city of Leuven's cemetery (Stadsbegraafplaats) which was voted the warmest cemetery in Flanders last year. It's a welcoming, green cemetery with a number of heartwarming touches that I would love to share with you.

It's also a way to immerse ourselves in the topic of death and funerals and understand how the practicalities are approached in Belgium. You'll have a chance to ask specific questions that you have related to death and funerals in Belgium.

Finally, I'll provide information on the developing state of ecological funeral practices, specifically natural organic reduction (human composting). Refreshments will be offered at the end and you can linger for a chat if you like.

Meeting point: Entrance to the cemetery next to the Philipsite - Kerkhofdreef 7 (see event location for location pin)

Rain plain will be communicated if needed.

About the event host:
I'm Candace, American & Belgian citizen in my 14th year in the Leuven area. My long standing passion for breaking the taboo around death led me to study funeral work a couple years ago. I got my funeral worker diploma in 2023, followed by a postmortem body care certificate and now I assist funeral services from time to time.