Decoding Flanders: Social Connections
Life in Flanders can be exciting, surprising, and sometimes… a little confusing. This workshop helps to make sense of social connections.
About the workshop
Life in Flanders can be exciting, surprising, and sometimes… a little confusing. This workshop helps to make sense of social connections.
After the success of our Decoding Flanders session, we’re diving deeper into a topic many expats find both fascinating and challenging: connection.
How do you really connect with Flemish coworkers, classmates, or neighbours? What does “friendliness” mean here—and how is it different from friendship? How can you build on those small moments of connection and turn them into something more?
In this interactive 2-hour workshop, we’ll explore a mix of insights and shared experiences in a relaxed, constructive atmosphere. This is not about changing who you are—but about understanding the context you’re in, so connection becomes easier and more natural.
And we won’t stop there. After the workshop, you’re warmly invited to join our informal “Bite of Dutch” session over a drink, a chance to continue conversations, meet others, and practice some Dutch in a low-pressure, friendly setting.
Whether you’re new to Flanders or have been here for a while, this session will give you tools, confidence, and fresh perspectives to connect more meaningfully.
Connection is always possible . Let’s explore how.
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is mainly geared toward internationals in Leuven. Whether you’re fresh off the plane or have been here a little while, this is your chance to better understand your new environment – and connect with others on the same journey.
Flow of the workshop
- 13:30 - walk in open, please arrive at 13:50 at the latest (yes, these Flems are very much into punctuality)
- 14:00-16:00 - workshop on making social connections in Flanders
- 16:00-16:15 - break
- 16:15-17:15 - casual Dutch practice oppurtunity. We will focus specifically on informal Dutch and aspects of "tussentaal" that you hear in every day life, but don't learn in Dutch class. (at least A2 of Dutch recommended, but everyone welcome to join).
When & Where
| Saturday, June 13 | 13:30-17:15 | Register here |
Where: International House Leuven (Tiensevest 60)
About the speakers
Gunilla de Graef
For over 20 years now, diversity and inclusion have been the central themes in my professional activities. As a staff member of several centers of expertise, I have been able to develop my thinking and working around difference in all possible directions. Sometimes with a focus on cultural diversity, other times aimed at diversity in a broad sense. I have supervised dozens of trainings and workshops, for the most diverse target groups and in very different contexts. I have coordinated practice-based research, worked out methodologies, developed competence frameworks, supported expertise sharing, built networks. All assignments from which I drew much inspiration and motivation.
Because I was active not only as a trainer but also as a consultant and researcher, I practiced myself in always thinking along two tracks: that of practical implementation and that of the vision, the policy that sets a framework around that concrete implementation. When thinking about methodologies, approaches, learning tools, I was inspired by literature, but especially by the skill and commitment of colleagues and people in the field. In addition, regular participation in domestic and foreign study days, conferences and colloquia helped me to draw out my own action framework for a powerful diversity policy. At the same time, I was also able to develop a good view of the activities of other actors in the field of diversity, both nationally and internationally.
Sofie Begine
Bio to come