A Guide For Expats To Networking In Brussels, Belgium

English-speaking Gay Group (EGG) – Holds parties each month for English-speaking gays and lesbians of all nationalities. Telephone: 025374704.
Friends International – Social group for 40-60 yr old people looking to meet other people. Schuitenlaan 39, Tervuren 3080. Telephone: 010650117. Website: http://friendsinternational.site90.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Spouse Trailing Under Duress Successfully (STUDS) – Male social group comprised of husbands/partners in Brussels because of partner’s work. Telephone: 026492604. Website: http://www.belgiumstuds.com/
Toastmasters – Club for people to meet and train their public speaking and leadership skills. Several locations in Brussels.
Viewfinders – Photography club speaking English with monthly meetings and other activities. Meetings at the British School of Brussels, Leuvensesteenweg 19, Tervuren 3080. Website: http://www.viewfinders.be/
Women’s International Club of Brussels – Organization for women to meet for cultural exchange and socializing in an informal environment. Website: http://www.wicbrussels.com/

American Chamber of Commerce – Organizes networking events for members aiming to create more business. Rue du Commerce 5339-41, Brussels 1000. Telephone: 025136770. Website: http://www.amchameu.be/
British Chamber of Commerce – Providing networking and promoting business between the UK and Belgium and provides advice on starting businesses in Belgium for members. Boulevard Saint-Michel 41, Brussels 1040. Telephone: 024000000. Website: http://www.britcham.be/
Belgium – Hong Kong Society – Business networking meetings and events as well as organizing cultural events like Chinese New Year celebrations and Hong Kong Film Festival. Rue d’Arlon 118, Brussels 1040. Telephone: 027750088. Website: http://www.bhks.be/home.html
Brussels Business Over Breakfast Club – Informal business networking group meeting twice a month over breakfast bringing together people looking to increase or start their own businesses. Telephone: 02476579399.
Irish Business and Employees Association – Represents interests of members at the European Union level to benefit Irish businesses. Avenue de Cortenbergh 89, Brussels 1000. Telephone: 025123333. Website: http://www.ibec.ie/ibb
Professional Women International – Multi-national business networking organization for women. Telephone: 025131269. Website: http://www.pwi.be/index.html

The Australia Society – Organization for Australians and their families in Belgium, organizing cultural and social events. Website: http://www.aussieworld.com/ausoc/
American Women’s Club of Brussels – Organizes social and cultural events for women and looks to foster Belgo-American understanding. Avenue des Erables 1, Rhode-Sint-Genese 1640. Telephone: 023584753. Website: http://www.awcb.org/awcb/
Au Pairs Club – Club for English-speaking au pairs meeting once a month to socialize. Rue Archimede 67, Brussels 1040. Telephone: 027673391.
Caledonian Association of Brussels – Club for Scottish people or people with an interest in Scotland. Website: http://www.calsoc.be/index.html
Canadian Women’s Club of Brussels – Organizes Canadian get-togethers and is also active in the community. Telephone: 023743702.
Irish Club of Belgium – the Irish social group, organizing events in Brussels. Telephone: 027422737. Website: http://www.irishclub.be/content.php?ID=1
New Zealanders in Belgium – New Zealander/New Zealander connected social networking group.
South African Club – Social club for South Africans and friends of southern Africa keeping people in touch and organizing events. Rotselaerlaan 73, Tervuren 3080. Telephone: 027820598.

Rotary Club Brussels – Dutch/English-speaking Rotary Club, helping the disadvantaged.
Lions Club of Brussels Heraldic – Club with various nationalities whose emphasis is on helping the less fortunate. Telephone: 026409207. Website: http://www.lionsheraldic.net/

Royal Brussels Golf Club – Private golf club just outside Brussels. Membership or invitation by a member is necessary to play at this club. Chateau de Ravenstein, Tervuren 3080. Telephone: 027675801. Website: http://www.ravenstein.be/en_visit_infogeneral.html
Sept Fontaines – Private golf club just outside the city requiring membership. Chaussee d’Alsemberg 1021, Braine l’Alleud 1420. Telephone: 023530346. Website: http://www.golf7fontaines.be/index.php?dsp=history

- - Royal Brussels Cricket Club – Located around 15kms outside Brussels, with the best cricket facilities in Brussels, many people meet and make important contacts here through mutual ex-pat exchange. http://www.rbcc.be/
  - Brussels Barbarians Rugby Club – Again, another sports club that caters largely to ex-pats with opportunities to play rugby and meet people. http://www.brusselsbarbarians.com/
  - British United Football Club – Football club boasting 4 men´s teams, a ladies team, and a veteran´s team where there are many ex-pats. http://www.bufc.org/

01	Learn French or Dutch, especially if you are coming long-term. If you have children this is even more important and will assist them to integrate.
02	Learn the Belgian rules of the road as they are a little different to other places and can be complicated.
03	Join expat groups by all means but remember that Belgians do exist too, and many expats make the mistake of never getting to know them properly.
04	Make the most of summer. Winters are wet, cold and gloomy and involve largely indoor activities.
05	Bring as many personal documents as possible (birth, driving, examination certificates), they will help in many different bureaucratic situations.