Success as an Expat

One of the hardest things about being an expat is leaving friends and family behind. Suddenly, all of the friends I had made over a lifetime in Canada were an ocean away. The prospect of making a new circle of friends was daunting. When we arrived in Belgium, I believed...

The Belgian Style File

"What is Belgian style," friends have asked me in the past and after some thought, I've come up with one word — individuality. Some of my fellow expats and Belgians may scoff at this statement. Sure, all of the chain fashion stores are here and there is a good number...

Snow fun at all!

To everyone in Belgium who doesn't like winter, I apologize for the snow and I take full responsibility for it. The snow is all my fault. I shouldn't have shot my mouth off about moving to a 'nicer' climate. But I really hate winter. I hate snow. I hate the...

D.I. Why?

It's 7 am. I open my eyes and try to clear my groggy head. I haven't awoken to an alarm clock radio as I used to in Canada. Instead, there is a 'symphony' of noises — the whir of a cement mixer, the hum of a crane, the pounding of...

Bread, Glorious, Fresh Bread

I wake up with a start and look at the clock. It's 3am. I must have a slice of bread with peanut butter. There is no bread in the house and there are no 24 hour supermarkets here. But I don't despair; I can go to the vending machine around...

And Still More Red Tape Blues

It seems just based on odds alone I could leave the town commune at least once without feeling like I've been beaten. The odds were still against me today. While what I feel like is downing a bottle of red, gorging on chocolate and hiding under my desk, I have...

Pucker Up!

I shift awkwardly from one foot to another. I avoid eye contact. "I had a great time, thank you," I stammer. I never make the first move. Suddenly they lean in. "Oh no, which side are they going for," I ask myself, "and how many times?" It's the first kiss....

A Healthy Surprise

Visiting the doctor is not generally my favorite way to pass the time, but when you have to deal with the medical system in a new country, it can be even more intimidating. I always used to be a pretty healthy person; I never even had the typical kid sicknesses...

The Inevitable Question

"So … what exactly do you do all day?" This is a question I am asked frequently, in one form or another by friends and family, Belgian friends and by fellow expats. However, it's a difficult question to answer, because I understand the implications behind it. In North America, we...

Articles About Expat Life (Page 15)