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woluwemum

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  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Student forum Belgium:
    try typing into google "cours francais université belgique"
    • February 24
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Legal Issues in Belgium:
    If you are non EU, unless you have 5+ years permanent residence or EU family members living with you, you must normally live in the country which has issued a work permit. As you have been given a Dutch work permit, it suggests you cannot live in Belgium....  moreIf you are non EU, unless you have 5+ years permanent residence or EU family members living with you, you must normally live in the country which has issued a work permit. As you have been given a Dutch work permit, it suggests you cannot live in Belgium. If you were work permit free, that would indicate you are 5+ year permanent resident of the EU / have EU family members.
    Be thankful you have a job. Be thankful you have friends and relatives. Be thankful you can feed yourself. Go and live in the Netherlands as required by your work permit and respect the country's laws which is hosting you.  less
    • February 24
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Jobs in Belgium:
    You need to get your qualifications recognized. If your partner is Belgian, he/she should have the ability to look this up on the internet for you as to the procedure. It could take many months. You also need to be able to speak Dutch to a decent level. Y...  moreYou need to get your qualifications recognized. If your partner is Belgian, he/she should have the ability to look this up on the internet for you as to the procedure. It could take many months. You also need to be able to speak Dutch to a decent level. Your only alternative is the 3 international schools in Antwerpen.  
    • January 19
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Family in Belgium:
    Sorry here is the link I forgot for the basisscholen in Leuven. You'll find English speaking families with children in schools in central Leuven inside the ring and also in schools in the south outside the ring near the KU Leuven Heverlee campus. But as y...  moreSorry here is the link I forgot for the basisscholen in Leuven. You'll find English speaking families with children in schools in central Leuven inside the ring and also in schools in the south outside the ring near the KU Leuven Heverlee campus. But as you're at KU Leuven, why not ask the academics there where their children go?
    http://batchgeo.com/map/85cf95329b52fff40dbc0f036130dc47
    You'll have to do your own research if you're after SECONDARY school students.
    http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/onderwijsaanbod/lijst.asp?hs=311
    Facebook is the best way to find people, there are expat groups on there of English speakers in Belgium.  less
    • January 19
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Relocation to Belgium:
    Only 6 out of the network of 15 international semi-public primaries are in Zuid and Noord Holland, the other 9 are in the other regions of the Netherlands. There are no schools like this in Belgium, schools are either public and in French / Dutch / German...  moreOnly 6 out of the network of 15 international semi-public primaries are in Zuid and Noord Holland, the other 9 are in the other regions of the Netherlands. There are no schools like this in Belgium, schools are either public and in French / Dutch / German, or private and in any language the school chooses to teach in, with fees starting at 6k per year to 35k per year. The private schools in Belgium tend to be expat enclaves where a large percentage of the children never learn the language of the area.  
    • January 19
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Family in Belgium:
    All basischolen (2 1/2 to 12 years) in Leuven.
    Dutch!!!!!!
    • January 19
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Relocation to Belgium:
    I can speak German but my Dutch is quite poor, it doesn't mean necessarily you will find Dutch easy because you know German. You will find 99% of under 50 year olds in Netherlands will speak English anyway and unless you have quite fluent Dutch, you're li...  moreI can speak German but my Dutch is quite poor, it doesn't mean necessarily you will find Dutch easy because you know German. You will find 99% of under 50 year olds in Netherlands will speak English anyway and unless you have quite fluent Dutch, you're likely to have a hard time getting anyone in Netherlands to speak to you in Dutch.
    If your work is in Amsterdam, I'd say settle in the Netherlands, Antwerpen, the nearest Belgian city to Amsterdam, is almost 2 hours away.
    The Netherlands has a network of international semi-public schools, start there if you're going to be in the Netherlands for a short period of time like 3 or 4 years. There is one of these schools in Amsterdam.
    http://www.dutchinternationalschools.nl/schools.html
    PS we speak Dutch in Belgium, Flemish is the word for things in Flanders or Vlanderen. Holland is a part of the Netherlands.  less
    • January 19
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Relocation to Belgium:
    This is not the best place to look for insights, hardly anyone looks at this forum. Join the Brussels Expats forum on Facebook.
    I'm afraid without giving years of birth of children, I'm not sure how old they would be or what school years they would go int...  more
    This is not the best place to look for insights, hardly anyone looks at this forum. Join the Brussels Expats forum on Facebook.
    I'm afraid without giving years of birth of children, I'm not sure how old they would be or what school years they would go into here - entering a Belgian school above age 10 would be quite difficult without any French, German or Dutch, unless you are very positive in the face of adversity and flexible.
    Where would work be, as this should be the major factor in determining where to live which in turn would determine the language of education and social life.
    Why Dutch speaking Belgium in particular too?  less
    • January 18
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Relocation to Belgium:
    Leuven has a far bigger BCT group - over 25 families and I hear they are quite active. Leuven has bus and train connections to Brussels, whereas Gent is only train connected As an expat family, I'd choose Leuven over Gent, because the number of expat fami...  moreLeuven has a far bigger BCT group - over 25 families and I hear they are quite active. Leuven has bus and train connections to Brussels, whereas Gent is only train connected As an expat family, I'd choose Leuven over Gent, because the number of expat families in Leuven is bigger, because of better connections to Brussels, because it's simply a more internationally welcoming place for expats. Gent is lovely, but so is Leuven with added advantages.  
    • October 15, 2012
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Relocation to Belgium:
    I must say that the number of expatriate families in Gent is very limited. Belgians are as a general rule very family oriented (that means family family family every weekend and little time for even life-long friends) and also reserved, so it's very hard ...  moreI must say that the number of expatriate families in Gent is very limited. Belgians are as a general rule very family oriented (that means family family family every weekend and little time for even life-long friends) and also reserved, so it's very hard to make friends as foreigners with Belgians, 1st generation Belgians might be more open but those with Belgian history have that deep-rooted attachment to the family thing - not that it's bad but means that few are willing to make new friends.
    Brussels on the other hand is a city of expatriates and immigrants, a reasonably sized Thai community, over 200,000 non Belgians. Given you don't have a job yet, I'd seriously look at somewhere else, if you are not interested in Brussels, then Antwerpen or Leuven I'd put before Gent for non Belgian mixed nationality expat families.  less
    • October 13, 2012
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Relocation to Belgium:
    You don't need to register with the gemeenthuis until you've got permanent accommodation. Officially you have 8 days to register once in permanent accommodation, but in reality, no-one is ever likely to punish you if you're later than 8 days. It's possib...  moreYou don't need to register with the gemeenthuis until you've got permanent accommodation. Officially you have 8 days to register once in permanent accommodation, but in reality, no-one is ever likely to punish you if you're later than 8 days. It's possible without a job contract to show, if savings are deemed insufficient, then your registration may well be refused. It also has implications for receiving an EEA Family Permit visa for your wife.
    I'm curious as to why you are wishing to move to Gent if you have no work? Do you have family here? If so, they would be the ones to ask for help with schooling and housing.  less
    • October 11, 2012
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Expat Get-Togethers in Belgium :
    BCT = Brussels Childbirth Trust, there's a small local group in Liege, monthly magazine containing various family related articles, details of forthcoming group and whole. organisation events. The new website is still not up and running (person paid to de...  moreBCT = Brussels Childbirth Trust, there's a small local group in Liege, monthly magazine containing various family related articles, details of forthcoming group and whole. organisation events. The new website is still not up and running (person paid to deliver it hasn't!!!) but when it is finally live, there's ll be loads of things family related in English on it.
    Just checked, can't find a Liege expats Facebook group, time for someone to start one I think. The Brussels one has over 7000 members, the Gent one is almost up to 400, that's why websites like this are used less and less.  less
    • October 7, 2012
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Expat Get-Togethers in Belgium :
    Melissa,
    this website is barely used at all. I'd suggest you look on facebook and join the Brussels Expats group. Well I'm assuming it's Brussels, you don't say, or are you coming to settle in Gent or Liege perhaps? I know just a handful of English speaki...  more
    Melissa,
    this website is barely used at all. I'd suggest you look on facebook and join the Brussels Expats group. Well I'm assuming it's Brussels, you don't say, or are you coming to settle in Gent or Liege perhaps? I know just a handful of English speaking mums in the Liege area, just one in Gent.
    BCT is a great organisation to join too, there are 1200 members, mainly in Brussels but many elsewhere in Belgium.  
    • October 7, 2012
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Relocation to Belgium:
    gemeentehuis staff are notoriously fickle and inconsistent, impossible for anyone to predict what will happen the day you walk in to register. You can actually open a bank account from outside Belgium. You might be asked for a house rental agreement, proo...  moregemeentehuis staff are notoriously fickle and inconsistent, impossible for anyone to predict what will happen the day you walk in to register. You can actually open a bank account from outside Belgium. You might be asked for a house rental agreement, proof of savings, salary contract. You might be asked for none of these things. No much point speculating or worrying, if you ask on the fb group page for their experiences of the gemeentehuis, chances are all will have different experiences, even at the same gemeentehuis. I'd concentrate on researching the best places to live in relation to work, plus locating the schools in the area.
    I'd join Brussels Childbirth Trust (BCT) even before arriving, for advice on schools and any particular parts of Gent which are more desirable than others for families.  less
    • October 6, 2012
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Relocation to Belgium:
    almost 400 expats on FB in Gent, you'll get far better help asking here than on this website that hardly anyone looks at.
    http://www.facebook.com/groups/10386390365
    • October 5, 2012
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Relocation to Belgium:
    Well the adverts on Immoweb are put there by estate agents and privated individuals, so if you want to see a house advertised by and agency, you're going to have to deal with them!
    Live on a good route to work. Public transport is very good in Gent, so a public transport route might be an advantage.
    Your wife is entitled to an EEA family permit, it is free, you have to prove you can support the entire family without resorting to pubic funds. There is no work permit required for those who have EEA family permits, about 5 months after registering at the gemeentehuis, your wife will get an F card and then she can work unrestricted , so long as she stays married to you and living in Belgium. Yes no Dutch will be a major problem for many jobs, especially when dealing with the public, for specialised jobs done in English, no need for Dutch.
    Local schools are probably great in Gent, just choose from one of the nearest ones to where you end up living, 2 1/2 to 6 years is referred to as "kleuterschool" not kindergarten....  more
    Well the adverts on Immoweb are put there by estate agents and privated individuals, so if you want to see a house advertised by and agency, you're going to have to deal with them!
    Live on a good route to work. Public transport is very good in Gent, so a public transport route might be an advantage.
    Your wife is entitled to an EEA family permit, it is free, you have to prove you can support the entire family without resorting to pubic funds. There is no work permit required for those who have EEA family permits, about 5 months after registering at the gemeentehuis, your wife will get an F card and then she can work unrestricted , so long as she stays married to you and living in Belgium. Yes no Dutch will be a major problem for many jobs, especially when dealing with the public, for specialised jobs done in English, no need for Dutch.
    Local schools are probably great in Gent, just choose from one of the nearest ones to where you end up living, 2 1/2 to 6 years is referred to as "kleuterschool" not kindergarten....    less
    • October 5, 2012
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Irish in Belgium:
    Dendermonde, you'll be the only English speakers in a local school there, but maybe you might be lucky to find a nice Belgian family willing to help you integrate and help with the language, if you don't speak Dutch.
    • October 5, 2012
  • MelissaRichardson
    MelissaRichardson is now friends with woluwemum.
    • September 8, 2012
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Relocation to Belgium:
    Ask your landlord, up to him/her.
    • August 26, 2012
  • woluwemum
    woluwemum replied to a topic in the forum Expat Get-Togethers in Belgium :
    Send me a message and I'll put you in touch with a few. Also join the BCT which has a small group there.
    http://www.bctbelgium.com/
    • August 26, 2012
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  • Gender: Female
  • Birthday: October 30, 1968
  • Sarah
  • Frka
  • bizpm
  • MelissaRichardson
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  • February 24, 2013 3:55:34 PM CET
    in the topic where to study french as a 2nd language in the forum Student forum Belgium
    try typing into google "cours francais université belgique"
  • February 24, 2013 3:54:00 PM CET
    in the topic residing in Belgium and working in netherlands in the forum Legal Issues in Belgium
    If you are non EU, unless you have 5+ years permanent residence or EU family members living with you, you must normally live in the country which has issued a work permit. As you have been given a Dutch work permit, it suggests you cannot live in Belgium. If you were work permit free, that would indicate you are 5+ year permanent resident of the EU / have EU family members. Be thankful you have a job. Be thankful you have friends and relatives. Be thankful you can feed yourself. Go and live in the Netherlands as required by your work permit and respect the country's laws which is hosting you.
  • January 19, 2013 5:21:58 PM CET
    in the topic Childcare / Support Worker job wanted..any links or info in the forum Jobs in Belgium
    You need to get your qualifications recognized. If your partner is Belgian, he/she should have the ability to look this up on the internet for you as to the procedure. It could take many months. You also need to be able to speak Dutch to a decent level. Your only alternative is the 3 international schools in Antwerpen.
  • January 19, 2013 10:48:27 AM CET
    in the topic Schools in Leuven in the forum Family in Belgium
    Sorry here is the link I forgot for the basisscholen in Leuven. You'll find English speaking families with children in schools in central Leuven inside the ring and also in schools in the south outside the ring near the KU Leuven Heverlee campus. But as you're at KU Leuven, why not ask the academics there where their children go? http://batchgeo.com/map/85cf95329b52fff40dbc0f036130dc47 You'll have to do your own research if you're after SECONDARY school students. http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/onderwijsaanbod/lijst.asp?hs=311 Facebook is the best way to find people, there are expat groups on there of English speakers in Belgium.
  • January 19, 2013 12:37:51 AM CET
    in the topic Relocation to Belgium with 4th and 6th grade kids... in the forum Relocation to Belgium
    Only 6 out of the network of 15 international semi-public primaries are in Zuid and Noord Holland, the other 9 are in the other regions of the Netherlands. There are no schools like this in Belgium, schools are either public and in French / Dutch / German, or private and in any language the school chooses to teach in, with fees starting at 6k per year to 35k per year. The private schools in Belgium tend to be expat enclaves where a large percentage of the children never learn the language of the area.
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