Language Learning

**🗨️ Let’s talk Japanese together!** We are meeting up for an informal chat to practice. Native speakers are appreciated! No preparation needed, come and go as you like! ❗**Rules and practical info -------------------------------------** \- Make sure you respond to the event\, it is very helpful for the organizer\. Don’t forget to remove it if you cannot make it\! \- A minimum level of A2\-B1 is recommended\. **\- Please purchase at least one thing to support the location\.** Do not consume external food or drinks there. *Visit the website [languagebuddies.be](http://languagebuddies.be/) for the event calendar, other social links, information on how to organize something yourself, and more!*

Brussels is Europe’s heart, and our meetup is its friendly beat. Join us Saturdays at 7:30 PM for a language and culture exchange like no other. With attendees in their 20s and 30s from across the globe, it’s where ideas and friendships flourish. Let’s connect over words and waffles.

El libro de marzo es **Diario de Japón de María José Ferrada.** **Seix Barral, 1 marzo 2022, 192 páginas.** Si recuerdo bien y aunque el editor la califique de “novela literaria” se trata de la primera obra de no ficción que leemos en Primer Sábado. Para celebrarlo, evitaré usar el texto promocional del editor, como hago perezosamente cada mes, y parafrasearé la [reseña de Andrea Ladino](https://www.japonistaschile.com/single-post/diario-de-jap%C3%B3n) en el sitio de la Fundación Japonistas Chile. *Soñar Japón desde Latinoamérica puede tener tantas variables como las montañas que rodean a esta isla lejana. Para algunos Japón es un anhelo, para otros una realidad; algunos piensan en sangre, otros en ríos. Para María José Ferrada, Japón puede ser también un diario íntimo, quizá inventado, quizá real. Así, Diario de Japón puede ser muchas cosas; a veces una novela, a veces un listado, y, a la vez, la mejor canalización ante una pérdida dolorosa. Para quienes estamos habituados a los versos y a la prosa de Ferrada, no es una sorpresa encontrar en cada página una cuota inmensa de exquisita sensibilidad.* *Diario de Japón inicia con una despedida. Y no una cualquiera, sino con la de un hombre despidiéndose de su biblioteca. Para ello agrupa los libros por países y decide regalarlos. Por azar, o quizá no, a María José le toca el grupo de literatura japonesa. Como toda despedida también es un comienzo, a partir de allí nace un idilio permanente entre la escritora y el país del sol naciente, relación que la llevará a visitar cuatro ocasiones Japón. Esta obra de no-ficción es una mixtura de vivencias entre sus años en Temuco, Santiago, un par de países europeos y, por supuesto, Japón.* *La sutileza y gran creatividad de Ferrada nos permite soñar con una micro que une Padre Las Casas con Osaka, con un Japón habitado por adolescentes de Puerto Saavedra, o con un avistamiento de kappa en las aguas del río Cautín. La mixtura de culturas toma forma y fuerza poética en las manos de la escritora.* As usual for the first Saturday group, you may use both English and Spanish during the book discussion; you just need an acceptable level of oral comprehension of both languages to fully enjoy it. Participar cuesta 1€ (para cubrir el coste de la suscripción a MeetUp). Durante la conversación elegiremos el libro para el mes siguiente, podéis proponer cualquier libro que os apetezca leer o discutir. El número de participantes está limitado. Si no podéis participar, por favor, indicadlo actualizando el RSPV en MeetUp.

This interactive **2-hour workshop** is designed especially for newcomers, expats, and internationals living in Flanders. Together, we’ll explore the cultural codes that shape daily life here, drawing on insights from intercultural thinkers like **Geert Hofstede** and **Richard Lewis**. Along the way, we’ll: * Unpack Flemish cultural patterns and communication styles * Explore common stereotypes – are they grounded in reality? * Debunk some persistent historical myths * Share personal experiences of living and working in Flanders * Create a safe space for those “I always wanted to ask, but didn’t dare” questions Whether you’re fresh off the plane or have been here a while, this is your chance to **better understand your environment** – and connect with others on the same journey. Join us for a lively, welcoming session that will leave you with fresh insights, more confidence, and maybe even a few good laughs about life in Flanders!

Need some quiet time for reading? Want to share the experience with others? Join us at the charming venue of La Belladone to read in the company of others. It’s alone, but also together, get it? We read for an hour, then chat over a drink, then go back to reading (if we feel like it) This is a free activity except for drinks.

We’ll watch a few short videos of recitations, reflect on the ideas behind the verses, and discuss some recurring themes in Urdu literature together. Whether you’re a longtime lover of shairi or simply curious, come ready to listen and share. All levels are welcome!

What's up Friends! 👋 
Ready for some bouldering fun? Boulder-what? 🤔 It’s climbing (FR: escalade, le bloc) up to 4.5m high without ropes—and in my case, without much hope! 😂✨ It’s a super fun indoor activity, but be warned: it does require a certain level of physical fitness and/or skill. Most importantly, though, it requires awesome company—which we’ve got! 😎
 The Idea: 📍 Meeting Point: For those arriving at 17:00, we’ll meet at the cafeteria (next to the billiards table). Feel free to start earlier or later—just drop me a message or write in the group chat so we can meet up. 💪 Stay & climb as long as you want - venue closes at midnight! 🥤 Recharge: If you’ve had enough climbing for the day (we usually do this after 2 hours of climbing), we may head back to the cafeteria (or to the rooftop if it's sunny🌤️) for snacks, drinks & games. Cafeteria closes at 22:00. Where: 📍Arkose: (Brussels Canal) Rue Willy de Bruyn Straat 52, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgique 🔗 https://arkose.com/

Fees: 🤑Entry fee without shoes: - 18 eur (first-timers 10€ with online promo activated) - reduced rates: students, minors, job seekers, firefighters, military (proof required) 👟 Shoe Rental: 5€ (if you don’t have your own) 🎫 10-session pass: 150€
 Good to Know: ✍️ First-timers need to create an account (takes 5min) - do it in advance and pay online to pay less and avoid wasting time onsite 💦 Hydration is key! Bring a water bottle. 🔐 Lockers available, but bring your own padlock. 🚿 Changing rooms & showers on-site. 👕 Wear comfy sports clothes—it gets intense! 🧴 Only liquid magnesium is allowed (for grip) - in reality most people use powder🤫 👟 Thinking of going regularly? Bouldering shoes are a great investment! (Decathlon: ~45-65€ per pair.)

⚠️ Safety First! Bouldering is fun, but safety comes first! Stay alert, know your limits, and don’t take unnecessary risks. Enjoy responsibly! 💪 
📢 Further details may be shared via the group chat or via DM 💬. Make sure to check your messages 👀 at least on the day before the event to avoid missing critical 🙄 announcements. 🐈‍⬛ The Friends Code:
👉Respect and positive vibes, if not 💥🥊
👉Can’t make it? Cancel or drop a message in the chat - helps running things smoothly! 👉 Don't show up if you are on the waiting list or show up at your own risk. 
See you at the walls folks😉

**PLEASE READ THE ATTENDANCE POLICY (below) IF IT'S YOUR FIRST TIME** **SUNDAY COFFEE & JAPANESE CONVERSATION** 日曜日のコーヒー＆日本語会話 Our "Japanese/English Conversation Exchange" offers you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of Japanese culture and language, all while helping native Japanese members to learn their target language. 私たちの「日本語/英語会話交流」は、日本の文化と言語の世界に没頭しながら、ネイティブの日本人メンバーが英語、フランス語、またはオランダ語を学ぶのを手助けするユニークな機会を提供します。 **Date: /** 日付：**(almost) every Sunday** **Time: /** 時間：**from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm** **Location: /** 場所：**Cafe Caberdouche - Place de la Liberté 8, 1000 Bruxelles** **Venue Note: /** 会場の注意：**The manager of the cafe kindly accepted us to book a table on a regular basis. To thank him for his kindness, please order AT LEAST ONE DRINK**. カフェのマネージャーが親切にも私たちに定期的にテーブルを予約することを承諾してくださいました。その親切に感謝の意を示すために、少なくとも1杯のドリンクを注文してください。 **Location Assistance: /** 場所の案内：**If you can't find us, ask one of the waiters. They know where we are :) You can also send us a message.** 私たちを見つけられない場合は、ウェイターの一人に尋ねてください。彼らは私たちがどこにいるか知っています :) メッセージも送っていただけます。 **Event Agenda: /** イベントのアジェンダ： * **4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: JAPANESE CONVERSATION** \- Join us for the Japanese conversation and cultural exploration\. Beginners are welcome / 日本語会話 \- 最初の30分は日本語の会話と文化探求に充てられています。初心者も聞くだけでも歓迎です。30分後に参加しても構いません。多言語交換 \- ベルギーの多様性を体験し、ネイティブの日本人メンバーが英語、フランス語、またはオランダ語を学びたいと熱心に待っています。さまざまな言語で異文化交流の会話に参加しましょう。私たちの日本の友人にベルギーの文化、伝統、生活を紹介しましょう。 * **6:00 PM: EVENT CONCLUSION** \- Please respect the event's start and end times to maximize your language exchange opportunities\. Your participation and enthusiasm are appreciated\! イベントの終了 \- イベントの開始時間と終了時間を尊重して、言語交換の機会を最大限に活用してください。参加と熱意に感謝します！ **Attendance Policy: --->** 以下の日本語 * We're excited to have you join our events and appreciate your commitment to learning and growing together. To ensure a productive and enjoyable experience for all participants, please take note of our attendance policy: 1. **Punctuality:** Please arrive on time for scheduled events. Late arrivals can disrupt the flow of the event and may miss important information. 2. **Language Commitment:** If you sign up for language-specific sessions, such as Japanese conversation or language exchange, we kindly request your commitment to actively participate in that language for the designated duration. 3. **Respect:** Treat fellow participants, organizers, and cafe staff with respect and courtesy. Harassment or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. 4. **Removal Policy:** A participant who is not respectful towards other members will be removed from the group and blocked, with no warning. This point is not negotiable. 5. **Cancellation:** If you are unable to attend an event you've registered for, please let us know as soon as possible. This helps us plan accordingly and allows others to take your place if there's a waitlist. 6. **No-Show Policy:** Three no-shows (failing to attend without prior notice) may result in restrictions on event registration to ensure fairness to other participants. By attending our events, you agree to adhere to these guidelines. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone can learn and connect. Thank you for being part of our community! **出席ポリシー：** 私たちは、イベントに参加していただけることを楽しみにしており、皆さんが一緒に学び成長することに取り組んでいただけることを感謝しています。すべての参加者が生産的で楽しい経験をするために、出席ポリシーにご留意ください： 1. 時間厳守：予定されたイベントには時間通りにお越しください。遅刻はイベントの流れを乱し、重要な情報を見逃す可能性があります。日本語のみのセッションは午後4時、全言語のセッションは午後4時30分開始です。 2. 言語へのコミットメント：日本語会話や言語交換など、特定の言語のセッションに登録された場合は、その言語での積極的な参加をお願いします。 3. 尊重：他の参加者、主催者、カフェのスタッフには敬意と礼儀をもって接してください。嫌がらせや迷惑行為は許容されません。 4. 退場ポリシー：他のメンバーに対して敬意を持たない参加者は、警告なしにグループから削除され、ブロックされます。このポイントは交渉の余地がありません。 5. キャンセル：登録したイベントに参加できない場合は、できるだけ早くお知らせください。これにより、他の人があなたの代わりを取ることができます。 6. ノーショーポリシー：事前の通知なしに3回のノーショー（欠席）がある場合は、他の参加者に公平になるようイベントの登録に制限がかかる場合があります。 私たちのイベントに参加することで、これらのガイドラインに従うことに同意するものとします。私たちはみなさんが学び、つながることができるように歓迎される包括的な環境を作り出すことを目指しています。コミュニティの一部としてご参加いただき、ありがとうございます！ **Note: Please stay tuned to our event page for updates and schedule changes. We can't wait to see you there and exchange languages, cultures, and stories!** 備考：更新やスケジュールの変更については、イベントページをご覧ください。そこで皆さんにお会いして、言語や文化、物語を交換できるのを楽しみにしています！

A relaxed pool night and language exchange for curious, open-minded people in Brussels. Pool, drinks, and real conversation without the fake networking vibe. This is **not** a tournament and not a “watch one guy run the table” event. We rotate games, mix people, and keep it social. Use our whatsapp Chat also to RSVP and updates! https://chat.whatsapp.com/F2hTxZ4TT3hHICiihX1Efy ### **What to expect** * Casual pool * Rotations so everyone plays * **Language exchange**: EN/FR/NL/ES/IT (and whatever else shows up) Switch languages anytime, no pressure ### **Food** The venue is right next to **Dea’s Pizza**. During the night, feel free to grab a takeaway pizza and **eat it at Taverne Magnolia**. ### **Cost** * Everyone pays their own drinks and table time * If we share tables, we split costs fairly (1 game 1 Euro) ### **Safety and respect policy (non-negotiable)** We’ve had reports of creeps at other Brussels meetups bothering women. That does not happen at our events. * The host will actively keep an eye on the vibe, especially **women’s comfort and safety** * **No harassment, no sexual comments, no persistent flirting after a “no,” no invasive questions, no following people around** * If someone feels unsafe or uncomfortable, go to the host directly. The host will intervene. ### **Meet point** Meet inside near the pool tables at **Taverne Magnolia**. If you’re late, post in the event chat so rotations don’t start without you.

What's up Friends! 👋 Let's meet at Le Pantin for another round of games and laughs. Games: 🎲 The pub has a fair collection of games. Feel free however to bring any of your own favorites. Food & Drinks: Le Pantin serves only drinks🍸🍺🍹, however you’re also welcome to bring your own snacks 🍟🍩🍿 to enjoy during the games. Ordering: 🤑 At least one drink is mandatory - this is how we support cool places like this! Timing: ⏱️ We kick off at 14:00, and you’re welcome to stay for as many games as you like. Joining later? Just let me know in advance in the chat so we don’t slow down the start 😊 🚦If you find yourself on the waiting list but you absolutely want to join or if you have any other question - feel free to contact me directly via the chat. 📢 Further details may be shared via the group chat or via DM 💬. Make sure to check your messages 👀 at least on the day before the event to avoid missing any mega important 🙄 announcements. 🐈‍⬛ The Friends Code: 👉 Which games are played will be agreed by the group 👉Depending on preferences and group size we usually split into several tables 👉 Got a favorite game? Bring it along or drop a suggestion in your reply 👉 Can't make it? Cancel on time so someone on the waitlist can grab your spot 👉 Don't show up (or show up at your own risk:) if you are on the waiting list. There may be no space for extra players and you risk to get disappointed. See you folks 😉

Join us for some friendly Badminton games- all levels welcome! IMPORTANT- in order to secure your place you’ll need to both book a spot on Meetup AND pay €8 by Friday morning. This is to make sure we can cancel courts if demand isn’t there, and make sure we’re being fair to people on the waitlist. Refunds will only be possible after Friday AM if another player is definitely able to take your spot Always worth joining our W’app group as well for faster, often better, updates!

Spring is doing its yearly cameo in Brussels, so we’re stealing the good weather for a **small garden BBQ**: grill smoke, laughs, new friends, and language switching mid-sentence like civilized chaos. We’ll mostly keep the conversations centered on food: what you brought, how it’s cooked back home, weird national traditions, and the kind of basic “nice to meet you” talk that works in any language. The goal is easy language practice, meeting new people, and having a good time. Jokes and funny trivia are welcome, as long as you can behave like an adult. This is a **bring & share** setup: you show up with something tasty, you leave with new words, new people, and probably the strong opinion that your country does BBQ better (you’re welcome to defend that position). ### **The vibe** * Backyard BBQ, relaxed and social * Language exchange baked into the night (talk, eat, switch languages, repeat) * Cultural food is strongly encouraged: bring your “this is what we eat at home” item ### **Languages** Host is fluent in **English, Italian, French, Spanish**, and has basics of **Russian, Croatian, Serbian, Japanese**. If you speak anything else, bring it. We collect languages like Pokémon. ### **What to bring (Bring & Share)** * Food + drinks for you **AND** something to share * Bonus points for something from your culture * If you’re bringing veggie stuff, make it something people actually want to eat. ### **If you don’t want to bring food** Message the host in WhatsApp. You can pay a **small fee** instead and still eat like a functional adult. ### **Contribution** **€2 per person** to cover wood/charcoal. Yes, even in 2026 humans still pay for fire. ### **Location (shared privately)** The address is shared **only** with confirmed RSVPs who: 1. Join the CLUB WhatsApp chat 2. Send a quick intro: first name + languages + what you’re into WhatsApp link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/F2hTxZ4TT3hHICiihX1Efy ### **Rules (because humans)** * **Not a dating meetup.** * This is not an “NPC meetup” where everyone tiptoes around like they’re negotiating a hostage release. People can talk freely and share opinions. **No censorship, no tone-policing, no drama farming.** * **No creeps. No harassment. No pushing after a “no.” No weird DMs.** * Respect the host’s home, neighbors, and the group. * If you act shady, you’re out. Simple.

Welcome to our weekly event in the upstairs room of The Sister Café, rue Chair et Pain 3, one block from the Grand Place. Please get there early enough to order your drink at the bar first. Thank you! After introductions we will collect questions from the group participants, choose one by voting then discuss it for an hour. Then most of us stay for drinks and bizarre conversations. Past questions have been wide and not confined to academic philosophy: What is a genuine friend? Is social media turning us into emotional zombies? Do we lose some of the experience of things by defining them? Are we driven by sex? Is loneliness a personal failure? Is morality relative? **Crucially, be kind and respectful and generous** in your disagreements; remember how much you personally enjoy someone else proving you wrong before celebrating your cutting counterexamples.

This meetup is for Japanese learners who want to practice speaking in a relaxed, supportive environment without pressure or perfection. It's also a great place to meet people with similar interests! If you’ve studied vocabulary or grammar but freeze when it’s time to speak, this session is designed to help you bridge that gap. **What we'll do:** * Simple self-introductions in Japanese * Guided speaking prompts (you won’t be put on the spot) * Light pair or small-group practice * Optional review games or activities to support speaking Mistakes are expected and encouraged. You’re welcome to use notes, look things up, or listen more than you speak. **Who this is for:** * Beginner to early-intermediate learners * People who want to practice speaking without pressure * Anyone who feels like they “know the material” but struggles to use it No high-level Japanese required. Just come as you are.

Join us for another session of our study group as we continue our coverage of the book Domain-Specific Small Language Models. In this session, we will attempt to cover Chapters 5 on "Exploring ONNX" and Chapter 6, on "Quantizing for your Production Environment". This isn't just a lecture! Come ready to ask questions, share insights, and code along. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this is the perfect opportunity to continue to learn together. If you plan to work with the code on your own laptop during the session, try and download the code from here https://github.com/virtualramblas/Domain-Specific-Small-Language-Models ahead of time.

Aim for a bullseye! Join us for a high-energy English conversation social at the axe-throwing lanes. ​Practice your speaking skills while hitting targets—no experience needed, just bring closed-toe shoes! It would be around $10 per person.

Bonsoir à tous! Venez nombreux pour causer autour d'un repas ou d'un verre chez La Madeleine. On n'a que deux règles: (1) qu'on y parle exclusivement le français et (2) qu'on achète quelque chose à boire ou à manger (c'est La Madeleine qui le demande). Merci et à bientôt!

Join our friendly English Cafe community! Enjoy snacks and conversation with people from around the world at our Language Exchange Mixer. It's the perfect place to improve your English and make international friends. -All People Community Church English Cafe

**Agenda :** * 4.45 to 5.00 PM ET: Food and Networking * 5.00 to 5.50 PM ET: "Data Science & Machine Learning with Microsoft Fabric" Hello Everyone! Please join us for our March 12th edition of the AI-ML MeetUp. **Please note this is an in-person meeting and light refreshments/food will be provided. You will need a government-issued ID to enter the facility.** **Title:** Data Science & Machine Learning with Microsoft Fabric **Description:** Explore Microsoft Fabric’s integrated Data Science experience across ideation, preprocessing, modeling, & deployment. Learn how to ingest and prepare data via OneLake and Lakehouse, leverage Notebooks, Data Wrangler, Spark, SynapseML, MLflow for experimentation, & operationalize predictions with batch scoring and Power BI direct integration. Also, learn to build generative AI Q&A systems using Fabric Data Agents. **Location:** The meeting will be hosted in the Applied Information Sciences ( AIS ) office in Reston, at 11440 Commerce Park Dr # 600 · Reston, VA. The location is also right off the Silver Line metro's Wiehle-Reston Metro Station. **Parking:** Parking is paid and can be validated at the AIS office reception. We will meet in Room Lake Anne. We hope to see you all there!!!!