Dutch Expats

**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." Georgi, who has lived in Belgium for more than 4 years, is originally from Bulgaria, but has been traveled and lived abroad in the last years, before settling down in Leuven. Georgi's passion is people and creating unique and meaningful interactions that leave a mark.

## 🌍 About the experience This Sunday we travel to the Belgian coast to explore one of the most fascinating historical sites in Belgium: **Atlantikwall Raversyde**. Hidden in the dunes near **Ostend**, this open-air museum preserves more than **60 bunkers, trenches and underground passages** from the German Atlantic Wall built during **World War II**. Unlike many other sites, the complex remained buried in sand after the war, which helped preserve it almost intact. Walking through the trenches and bunkers gives a powerful glimpse into the reality of the coastal defenses of the time. After the visit, we will enjoy a **relaxing walk along the North Sea coast**, explore the dunes, and finish the afternoon with **drinks or food in Ostend**. As always with Sunday Vacations, the idea is simple: **discover places, meet interesting people, and enjoy the moment together.** --- ## 🗺️ Plan for the day • Meet at **Brussels central train station and travel to Oostende** • Coastal tram to Raversyde • Visit of **Atlantikwall Raversyde museum** • Walk through the dunes and along the beach • Optional food or drinks in Ostend before returning Walking distance: ~6–8 km (easy pace) --- ## 🎟️ Entrance Museum ticket: approx **€10** --- ## 🚆 Getting there Train from **Brussels → Ostend** (about 1h15). Many participants usually take the same train from Brussels. Exact suggestions will be posted in the comments closer to the event. --- ## 👥 Who is this event for? Sunday Vacations events bring together **international professionals, expats and curious locals** who enjoy discovering places and meeting new people in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Expect a welcoming and open-minded group 🌍 --- ## 💛 Participation As a reminder, participation requires either the **organizing fee** or a **membership**: 🔹 **Explorer members** → €5 organizing fee 🔹 **Voyager & Ambassador members** → organizing fee included 🔹 **Not yet a member?** → please complete the **€5 yearly membership** 👉 Your **first activity is free**, so no organizing fee once you join. Membership helps us run the community, ensure safety and organize quality events. --- ## ⚠️ Important • Please register only if you really plan to attend. • Bring comfortable shoes (part of the visit is outdoors). • Weather on the coast can change quickly — bring a jacket. --- ## 🌟 About Sunday Vacations **Sunday Vacations** is an international community bringing together global professionals through shared adventures. Our motto: **Living the moment.**

Karin's hike for Sunday has a long waitlist, so I am organizing an alternative hike in Limburg. We will start from Kiewit and walk towards Bokrijk, which is known for its open air museum about the lifestyle of 19th century people. However, we will only walk through the part that doesn't require an entrance ticket. The area features a lot of walking trails in a peaceful environment. At the end of the walk we will pass by the former mining area of Winterslag. The trail ends in Genk, where we will look for an open bar. As the number of participants is limited, it is important that you manage your registration responsibly: only sign up if you really intend to come and cancel as soon as you know you can’t (this also goes for people on the waiting list!). We will try to keep close to an average speed of about 5 km/h. We will walk mainly on unpaved roads. I’ve not tested this track beforehand, so it’s possible that there are some mistakes in the planning. ●●You can find the track here: https://loc.wiki/u/8622751?wa=uc ●●Meeting point: We meet at 10h06 in Kiewit. From Brussels you have a direct train (IC 1507 direction Genk). If you start from Brussels-Central, the train leaves at 8h41. I am coming from Ghent, so I will be on that train already. You can find me in the first car of the train. ●● Train tickets: Return ticket Brussels-Genk should be fine. ●● Back to Brussels: In Genk there is one direct train per hour back to Brussels. ●● Specifics: Distance: ca 25km Elevation gain: 100 Net walking time: ca 5-6h Weather forecast: Looks ok for the moment. In the unlikely case of too bad weather, we may cancel a hike, even few hours before the event. If this must happen, we will of course update the Meetup website and send out an email to those registered. So it is important to have access to either the meetup website or your emails. ●● What to bring: * Comfortable hiking clothes &shoes * rain gear (just in case) * water + food for the breaks * sun cream * Compeed for blisters * some small money for drinks ●● Basic rules: Please RSVP only if you really intend to come. And if your plans change, update your RSVP asap, even hours before the walk. This is basic courtesy towards others. Repeated late cancellations are not well considered (at all). No-shows are even worse. Do not show up for a hike unless you are on the “going” list. People with the "go-with-the-flow" label are only moved from the waitlist 24 hours before the hike. I give you the label "go-with-the-flow" if you did not show up in one of my hikes before, or if you canceled for one of these hikes less than 24 hours in advance without a good reason. ●● Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability: You are responsible for yourself and should be fit enough if you want to take part. As the participation in the events is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves. By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organisers from any responsibility and liability. Moreover, the organisers aren't tour operators, so they don't feel obliged to answer to every text message or email!

Saint Patrick's day Arts and Crafts Workshop at Les Halles Saint Géry Cultural Centre on day of Brussels Saint Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday 15 March between 10.30am and 1pm. All children of all nationalities welcome to attend. Admission free. Let your children enjoy the face painting for the Parade and exercise their creativity with the colouring workshops. We still need creative people help organise more children activities, if you can help lets us know at patricks.day.parade@gmail.com The Workshop Main Co-ordinators: Ian Nolan eonua@proton.me Ian Nolan is an Irish artist based in Brussels. Recently graduated from the Dutch Art Institute fine arts masters program, Ian works with storytelling, music; facilitating community projects and workshops that explore landscape, language and memory as a basis for cultivating community resilience and resistance. Ian is also a tour guide here in Brussels and shortly he will launch a guided tour of the historical route of Brussels Saint Patrick's Day Parade of the Nations & Regions. He is a member of the Cultural Movement for Palestine and plays irregularly with (non-local) noise band, Tyranny of Silence. Özge Yalnız ozgeyalniz@outlook.com Özge Yalnız is an architect with a special interest in heritage conservation. Originally from Turkiye, Özge has studied Conservation of Monuments and Sites at KU Leuven and contributed to projects on architectural conservation and documentation in both Niel and Herent. Based in Brussels, Özge continues to work freelance. She hopes this colouring workshop will inspire younger generations to take a playful interest in the diversity and quirkiness of architectural heritage in Brussels City. We will also like to thank Amanda Mejia and our other volunteers who are helping with this workshop and will be listed in our Volunteer Roll of Honour after the Parade.

Hey Brussels Sprouts!! **Our Language Exchange Event is coming up!! 🌍** We will have five language tables: **French, Dutch, English, Spanish, and Italian.** Each table will host around **2–5 participants**, **Participants rotate every 15–30 minutes** and you are welcome to move freely between tables to practice different languages. Native speakers are especially encouraged to join and share their language and culture! **Contribution to Our Events** Starting this year, we kindly ask participants to contribute in one of the following ways: **€5** per event, or **€40** annual membership fee If you feel like supporting us beyond this, to help people who can’t afford it, you are very welcome to do so 💛 If the contribution is a concern for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly 😉 **These contributions will help us:** * Cover the annual Meetup platform fee * Encourage everyone to respect RSVPs (We experienced a high number of no-shows at several events last year, which made organization more difficult.) * We will donate 10% collected fees to support Queer oriented organisations in the end of the year. Bank details: Yifei Yang BE12363234512492 Communication: your name+ event/membership **To make sure your spot is reserved, please complete your registration once you sign up.** We will prioritize those who have completed the registration process. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation. **Cheers!** 🥂 Brussels Sprouts 🇧🇪🥬💚

This week it’s Igor who will be leading the hike 😊Weather announced sunny and spring-like on Sunday, we shall be walking approximately 12.5 km and ending our walk with a beer in Brouwerij de Kroon 🍺 Meeting point: Parking donkerstraat 1 Huldenberg https://maps.app.goo.gl/F6gf4btm9hKEzD5p8?g_st=ic Igor: 0475/801026

This Sunday, we'll be off for a loop from Aywaille, with a little stop at a brewery on the way. We start from Aywaille going south and up into the hills. The path will first take us first through some forest before the landscape opens up and we will pass fields and some villages on the way. After about two hours, we will reach the manor house where the Misery Beer Co is located (https://www.miserybeerco.be). If they are nice people and let us have our sandwiches there, we will use this as our lunch break spot (possibility to buy drinks). We continue the hike through Harze with its impressive chateau before finally descending back into Aywaille, where we will find a bar for our final drink. Please note that trains back are only every two hours. I expect to be in Aywaille in time for the 17.23 train, but no guarantee, and I will not break into a run to make that train. So please do not sign up if you need to be back at a specific time, or unless you are prepared to break from the group and rush ahead by yourself. As the number of participants is limited, it is important that you manage your registration responsibly: only sign up if you really intend to come and cancel as soon as you know you can’t (this also goes for people on the waiting list!). We will try to keep close to an average speed of about 4.5 km/h. We will walk mainly on unpaved roads. I’ve not tested this track beforehand, so it’s possible that there are some mistakes in the planning (i.e. it may become longer ;-). ●●You can find the gpx track here: **Wikilocs:** https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/wanderung-nach-misery-beer-company-253702625 **Komoot**: https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/2514955856?share_token=arLuZVmmkV1kzNNR4jHlohEhhLyVIZLLMwMTJdx5tlq9DFJOTB&ref=wtd ●●Meeting point: We meet at 8h45 in the main hall of Gare Central, in front of Starbucks. Our train (IC507 to Eupen) leaves at 9.01. We change train in Liege (10.07 IC5310 to Troisviege) and arrive in Aywaille at 10.40. ●● Train tickets: BXL-Aywaille 14.90€/9.00€ with train+ each way ●● Back to Brussels: From Aywaille there are trains only every two hours. I will aim to get the one at 17.23, but no guarantees! The next would be 19.23. ●● Specifics: Distance: ca 25 km Elevation gain: around 500m Net walking time: ca 6 h Weather forecast: undecided, but not horrible In the unlikely case of too bad weather, we may cancel a hike, even few hours before the event. If this must happen, we will of course update the Meetup website and send out an email to those registered. So it is important to have access to either the Meetup.com website and/or your emails. ●● What to bring: * Comfortable hiking clothes &shoes * rain gear (just in case) * water and drink for the breaks * Compeed for blisters * some small money for drinks ●● Basic rules: Please RSVP only if you really intend to come. And if your plans change, update your RSVP asap, even hours before the walk. This is basic courtesy towards others. Repeated late cancellations are not well considered (at all). No-shows are even worse. Do not show up for a hike unless you are on the “going” list. ●● Acknowledgement of member responsibility and release of liability: You are responsible for yourself and should be fit enough if you want to take part. As the participation in the events is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves. By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organisers from any responsibility and liability.

Let's continue the tradition and play UNO, everybody is welcome :) If you're on the waitlist please check your messages, especially on Sunday. If people drop off last minute I tend to message people on the waitlist to see who can come. We'll be playing at the lobby of Radisson RED, Brussels. The address of the hotel is: Rue d'Idalie 35, 1050 Bruxelles My number is 0471 45 55 02. Feel free to call if you cannot solve a physics question, cannot find the place or simply need a hug. I have quickly written a set of rules on how we play. It is assumed that the reader has a basic concept of the game. *** Setup: * Each player starts with 6 or 7 cards each (depending on total number of players) * A card is shown in play in the middle of everyone, this is known as the top card. Goal: * The goal of the game for each player is to get rid of all cards in your hand Rules: * Whenever you go from two cards to one card, you have to say "UNO". * Each player takes his turn one by one, initially going in the clock-wise direction * A card may be played if it matches the same colour or same number or same type as the top card in play * The two black cards (Draw 4 and Wild) can be played regardless of the top card in play. * Interruption rule: You may interrupt the general flow of the game (clockwise or counter-clockwise) if you have the EXACT same card as the top card in play. If you manage to play the card prior to the person whose turn it's supposed to be, then the game continues on from you in the same direction it was previously. (Unless the reverse card was interrupted, then the direction changes). * Draw2 or Draw4 cards can be played in accordance to the interruption rule. The following person after the interrupt has to take the accumulated number of cards. If however, cards have already been drawn AND seen by the person who was supposed to take the cards, then only the remainder of cards has to be drawn. * Once someone has no cards remaining in his hand, play stops and we start counting points. Points: * Number cards have the face value as the number of points. i.e. number 6 is worth 6 points, number 0 is worth 0 points, number 4 is worth 4 points. * Skip, reverse and Draw2 are worth 20 points each * Wild and draw4 are worth 50 points each

Performance inside Les Halles Saint Géry after the parade between 16.30 and 17.00. Outdoor Performances outside Les Halles Saint Géry at 13.00 and along parade route . Performances at review stand the Grand Place from 15.30 and 15.

Weather being what it is, we will probably be sitting inside :) . After several walks and activities together, it felt like a good idea to simply **meet and spend some relaxed time together**. So this is a very simple gathering: we meet on the **terrace of the Maison du Prieur at Rouge-Cloître**, have a drink, talk, and get to know each other. No formal activity, no structure — just a moment to connect with other members of the **Happy Body community**. If the weather is nice, Rouge-Cloître is one of the most beautiful natural spots in Brussels, with forests, ponds and quiet paths. Feel free to come for **10 minutes or stay longer**.

Post Parade Jazz Session **17.00 -18.00** **Cork Jazz Festival Club of Brussels** with LJM Street Band (Lazy Jazzmen) Promoting the Ryanair Brussels South Charleroi Airport to Cork Airport in Ireland's sunny South. Admission Free, Kitchen and Bar open.

Hello! This is a meet-up to play tennis from 2 pm to 4 pm on Sunday. Meeting is on the courts. The courts are booked under the name Jean-Marc. This event is for intermediate and advanced players and not organised for novice players or beginners. Please make sure to bring the exact sum of 10 € in cash. The event is non-commercial. This sum covers the cost of the courts reserved. The organizer is not there to make money out of you. Ladies are encouraged to join. If anyone wants to drop out, they should do it on Saturday morning, not on Sunday the day of the meetup, another wise it would be too late to find a replacement in time or to cancel a court in time with reimbursement. If you don't do this, you will be asked by the organizer to reimburse your participation fee. If this happens too late then those who have cancelled after Saturday morning will have to cover the extra cost for reserving the courts. In the past meetups, it happened too many times that we were an oneven number and because of that all those present had less fun to play. If you don't show up without giving a written excuse in time, the first future participation will be cancelled and you will be asked to reimburse the participation fee. If it happens too many times you will not be able to participate anymore. In case if we are an uneven number of players, then the last player (except the host of course who has to collect the money) can leave or persuade other players to play with him or her. Of course if the last player leaves, then he or she doesn't have to pay the participation fee. If this player leaves, he or she will be added on a future event by the host or organizer in the participation list if the player is far away in the waiting list. This is the advantage of leaving on a voluntary basis;-). We operate on the principle of Fair Play as we do not have umpires or referees. Any disputes or disagreements over line calls or scores should be resolved immediately on the court and, when agreement is not possible, the point or game should be replayed. To be able to replay the game, 3 players need to agree on that without manipulation of the one who disputes an entire game, anotherwise injustice could occur where in the end possibly the biggest cheater could win... This situation applies also, if the host or the organizer is involved. When one of the players still doesn't accept this compromise, then it should be reported (meetup message by preference) to the organizer or host of the meetup event. One of the consequences could be that the first upcoming event could be cancelled by the organizer for the player who doesn't comply with the compromise to play the point or the game again. If the same player does that again for a second time, then the person will see 4 of his next tennis meetups cancelled. If this happens a third time with the same player, then the player in question will be banned from all future tennis meetups with an exclusion as a final result. Whenever there is a big problem, it should be reported as well to the organizer of the group so he can, if necessary, take actions to improve the situation for all the players. Please also note that if you are the first on the waiting list, you will automatically be moved up to the attendance list if someone pulls out. So if you are on the waiting list and see that you cannot attend, please also change your status to not going. If you would like to organize a meet up either this week or next week please get in touch with me, my name is Jean-Marc. It will depend on your initiatives to create more tennis meetups per week.

You are looking for a change of scene, want something that move's you and wonder if dancing Salsa might be a good option. You're right – Salsa will lift your spirit and introduce you to a whole new group of people and an exciting scene. Join Oscar & Joke each Tuesday and/or Sunday as they guide you through Salsa from the basics, through to the advanced. Our classes are inclusive. We take the time you need to learn the style and take you step-by-step with us into the world of Salsa. We teach mainly in English and speak also Dutch, French and Spanish. Come and give it a go! Salsa is a good way to move your body, have fun and give your mind some mental sorbet after a turbulent day. Everyone welcome! Sundayschedule 13h45 to 15h Beginners 15h to 15h30 Footwork (shines) beginners & adv beginners 15h30 to 16h45 Advanced Beginners 16h45 to 17h15 Footwork Intermediate 1 & 2 17h15 to 18h30 Intermediate 1 Term dates Sundays: **18/1, 25/1, 1/2, 8/2, 15/2, 1/3, 8/3, 15/3, 22/3, 29/3** New students are accepted up to the 3rd class (latest start 1/2), after that please contact us for a private so we can get you up to speed with the material before joining the rest of the group. We teach the same class also on Tuesdays - so you can compensate a week of travel with a week where you take both classes. 10 classes are 120 euro ( classes of 1h15 + 30min of solo footwork for free) Additional information about prices and more: studionysalsa.be

The aim of this group is to get together and practice our German. Doesn’t matter if are a beginner or a native speaker. The goal is to speak and improve our German. Everyone is welcome! If the weather is good, look for us in the Biergarten. Pro Tip: Get there before 6:00 for happy hour pricing.

Hey Everyone! Let's meet at Belle's Bread Bakery and Cafe. There is lots of free parking and easy access to the cafe and many shops and restaurants as well. This is a great way to meet new and old friends while chatting about life and practicing English language speaking skills. All are welcome and encouraged to join us anytime between 11am and 1pm. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Ciao a tutt\*! Let's meet Monday at 6.30pm at the Upper Arlington Library (**Tremont** Branch) in **Meeting Room A** to speak in Italian for 1 hour. Keeping Monday for consistency but we can discuss if there are better days/times/locations!

We thought of one of the interesting things that can be enjoyed at this time of the year. We will be meeting at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for a "Fish Fry" in Marian Hall on Friday, March 27th at 5:00 PM. It might be fun for you to experience what has become a tradition on the Fridays before Easter. They will have fried fish or baked fish, French fries and Cole slaw, as well as beverages, all for $16.00 for adults. They will have other beverages and desserts available for sale, as well. We have never tried this, and sometimes there are quite a few people at these events so we hope that we will be able to find each other easily. I'll try to have signs outside Marian Hall that Identify our group. We hope to have you join us!

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."