Moving to a new place can be overwhelming, check out our articles below to help you get settled in.
Connect with the international community and join the IHL Ambassador Program — a welcoming initiative that pairs newcomers with seasoned Leuvenaars to ensure a smooth landing upon arrival.
A bi-weekly coffee meetup on Fridays for anyone who is looking to connect with other internationals (and locals).
Looking for Dutch classes in Leuven? Discover NT2 courses, language schools, registration dates, learning pathways, and practical tips for internationals in Leuven and Flanders.
Learn about the basics of renting in Leuven, finding housing, rental contracts, and cost of living.
Opening a Belgian bank account is an important step needed in order to receive your income, pay in shops and make payments for rent, utilities, and more.
Staying more than 90 days in Belgium for study purposes? Be sure to register at the town hall when you arrive in Leuven.
Each region in Belgium has its own system of sorting waste. Learn how to sort your trash correctly in the Leuven area.
Leuven is easy to access by bike, public transport, or car. Learn about the many ways to travel around Leuven.
A glance at what is required to work, volunteer, or (re-)start your career in Belgium/Leuven.
Recently moved to Belgium and not sure where to begin? Follow our checklist to get started. This article covers month 2 of living in Belgium.
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.
Recently moved to Belgium and not sure where to begin? Follow our checklist to get started.
Mental health professionals share tips to help internationals adjust and thrive when moving abroad.
Winter in Belgium can be difficult. These are our tips for thriving, not just surviving, the colder months.
Learn how to apply for a Belgian visa, understand the difference between Type C and Type D visas, prepare your documents, and discover what to do after arriving in Belgium. A practical guide for internationals moving to Leuven and Belgium.
Stop by the International House Leuven to receive a consultation about any questions you have regarding living and working in Belgium legally.
A plaatsbeschrijving or survey/inventory report is mandatory when you move into a house or apartment.
Meet Meggan and Helga and discover how they found connection despite coming from different backgrounds.
Mariia shares her experience of what it is like to be an international living abroad while her parents age. She offers tips from her experience of what she has learned.
Need emergency medical care in Belgium? Learn when to call 112, where to find emergency rooms in Leuven, how 1733 works, and how internationals can access urgent healthcare services.
Discover child care options in Leuven and important information about the registration system for child care centers.
Belgium's elementary school system (basisonderwijs) comprises preschool and primary school education. Children can enter the elementary school system at preschool starting at the age of 2.5 years.
Learn important information about secondary schools in Belgium (particularly Leuven): how they work, and the procedures to enroll your child in a school in Leuven.
One of five European Schools in Belgium, the only one to teach all ages (3-18). Also has a school bus directly from Leuven (Gasthuisberg area).
If you are over the age of 18 and have been living in Belgium since the previous year, it is required to file your taxes in Belgium.
Find household assistance in Belgium with this guide to dienstencheques. Learn where to hire cleaners, what it costs, and what to expect.
Read a brochure from Psych.be. It is for everyone dealing with mental health issues: people seeking help themselves, loved ones who wish to support someone, and professionals seeking help for clients.
Learn how Flemish Training Leave (Vlaams Opleidingsverlof or VOV) works in Belgium. Discover eligibility requirements, approved courses, Dutch classes, application steps, and FAQs for internationals in Flanders.
SBB Accountants & Adviseurs will explain the basics of the Belgian tax system and help you understand how to file your own personal income tax return via tax-on-web.
Meet Ezgi from Türkiye - she joined the IHL Ambassador Program as a newcomer and later returned as a welcome host herself.
A reality many internationals must face while living abroad is that their parents are aging while they are away. How do we deal with the emotions that come from this realization? Read on to see what internationals say.
Different education systems and cultures have different approaches to homework. In this article find out what parents need to know and how to support your child with homework in Belgium.
Changing your address in Belgium? You are required to report your change of address to the municipality of your new residence within 8 days of moving.
Learn about electricity and gas providers in Belgium. Learn how to use the VREG V-Test, understand energy consumption, reduce costs, and choose the best energy contract for your home in Leuven.
Looking for a dentist in Leuven? Learn how to find a dentist, understand Belgian dental insurance and reimbursements, access emergency dental care, and navigate your options as an international in Belgium.
Looking for a family doctor in Leuven? Learn how to find a GP in Belgium, understand Global Medical Files (GMD), conventioned doctors, after-hours care, healthcare costs, and essential Dutch healthcare vocabulary.
Looking for a pharmacy in Leuven? Learn how to find a pharmacist in Belgium, use prescriptions, access medication after hours, understand health insurance reimbursements, and more.
Looking for mental health support in Belgium? Learn how to find an English-speaking psychologist, therapist, counselor, coach, or psychiatrist in Leuven and across Belgium. Understand your options, reimbursements, and where to get help.
Searching for a job can bring up many unpleasant emotions. Learn how to recognize and manage them.
