International House Leuven

12/06/2026

💡Want to sound more like a local? Add this phrase to your vocabulary!

'Goed in mijn vel voelen' literally means 'to feel good in my skin'. It can be about body image, but it is more often about mindset and self-esteem.

10/06/2026

🌿Looking for a place to cool off during the warmer months? Check out the Botanical Gardens in Leuven!

💡Did you know that Leuven’s botanical garden is the oldest one in Belgium? KU Leuven created this garden for its medical students in 1738.

🌻Enjoy a peaceful, cool area while experiencing a beautiful part of history. If you take a listen, you'll hear a lot of birds singing too!

08/06/2026

👀 Check out all the upcoming wellbeing events at IHL

👉 June 10: Sharing circle for everyone
The Sharing Circle is a safe space for all people to talk about whatever is on their mind, vent, and perhaps exchange ideas or experiences.

👉June 11: How mindfulness can help when living abroad
Whether you’re looking for ways to manage the professional or personal stresses of living in a new country, or simply how to be in the ‘present moment’, this hands-on session will explore simple strategies to help you learn more and get started.

👉 June 12: Leuven Death Cafe
A moment to gather, eat cake, drink a warm beverage, and have an open discussion about death.

👉 June 19: Neurodiverse Minds & Matters (ADHD/Autism +)
An evening for neurodiverse adults (18+) to come together, share experiences, and make new friends.

🔗 Interested in joining these events? Let us know you'll be joining and register your spot here: https://bit.pulse.ly/ia3oykchf4

05/06/2026

🎓 It's that time of year when many students are preparing for graduation. But what comes after graduation?

📄 Most international students will opt to apply for a Search Year Permit, allowing them to stay in Belgium while they search for work.

🤔 But what can you do during this time to improve your chances of finding work and staying in Belgium?

💡 We've put together 5 tips to stay in Belgium after graduation. Swipe through to check them out, or click here to read the full article: https://internationalhouseleuven.pulse.ly/cyqzzzdc81

04/06/2026

🤔 How do you connect with Flemish coworkers, classmates, or neighbours? What does “friendliness” really mean here, and how do small moments turn into real connections?

💡 Join our interactive 2-hour workshop on building meaningful connections in Flanders, with practical insights, shared experiences, and a relaxed, supportive atmosphere. Stay after for a casual “Bite of Dutch” with Goesting in Taal for a drink and to keep the conversation going.

👉 Interested in joining? Register here: https://internationalhouseleuven.pulse.ly/cdx1phuvug

03/06/2026

🚲 Today is World Cycling Day!

One of the greatest things about Leuven is how bikeable it is. It's easy to get around and a great way to travel!

Use our bike vocab guide to brush up on some useful terms for your next trip to the bike shop.

And don't forget! We have some workshops coming up for those who are new to biking. Check them out here: https://internationalhouseleuven.pulse.ly/syoeuhqrad

02/06/2026

👀 Here's what the IHL community got up to in May...
- Women's 40+ group outing
- Sailors group learning about navigation
- In-depth discussions with the sci-fi club

🌟 Want to join one of our events? Check out our activities page to see when the next one will be. We have events happening almost daily!

🔗 Join one of our activities: https://internationalhouseleuven.pulse.ly/ncc4htmfmg

01/06/2026

The IHL June newsletter is now available for you to read!

Check out this month's edition for info about:
🔹Tips for traveling with kids this summer
🔹Upcoming music festivals in Belgium
🔹Where to donate your things when moving
🔹Community recommendations for gym classes for pregnant women

And more!

🔗 Click here to read the newsletter: https://mailchi.pulse.ly/ertzo4ui7x

29/05/2026

🚀 For anyone looking to start their own business in Belgium, this post is for you.

On May 26th, Jessica Jacobs from Starterslabo will be hosting a workshop at IHL to discuss an upcoming bootcamp for entrepreneurs. This bootcamp is a great value for anyone looking to start a business in Belgium.

On June 8th, the 6-day bootcamp will begin. During this time, you will
🔹Prepare your business idea
🔹Conduct market research/strategy
🔹Put together a financial plan
🔹Dive into organization and operations
🔹Practice pitching your idea

Why this bootcamp is worth it:
🔹Usually, a program like this can cost up to €1,843.70, but we're offering it for just €215. It's a great value if you're considering launching a business
🔹After completing this bootcamp, you'll have everything you need to apply for a business professional card
🔹 Following the bootcamp, you will have an individual coaching session

We recommend coming to the workshop on May 26th to learn more about the bootcamp and ensure it's a good fit for you.

If it seems like a good fit, then we suggest joining the bootcamp as well.

👇 Interested in signing up? Spots are limited. Check the comments below to register for the events.

29/05/2026

🛬 Have you recently moved to Leuven (or plan to relocate soon) and aren't sure where to start? It can be difficult to keep track of everything and know what to prioritize.

💡 We've created a First 3 Months in Leuven Guide that can help guide you through the beginning of your move. Everything is broken down into weeks so you can ease yourself into your new home.

🌟There's a lot of information in these articles, so we recommend saving this post or bookmarking the page so that you can frequently come back to it.

👉 Check out the First 3 Months in Leuven Guide: https://internationalhouseleuven.pulse.ly/bbvupgkact

Recently moved to Belgium and not sure where to begin? Follow our checklist to get started. This article covers month 3 of living in Belgium.