Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

If you are an expat living in Brussels, you will likely want your children to attend an international school. There are many great options for international schools in Brussels, and the best one for your family will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

International schools in Brussels are educational institutions based on an international curriculum. Many expats choose to send their kids to one of these schools for various reasons, including but not limited to language immersion, high-quality education, and a child-friendly environment.

Due to the lack of information out there about international schools in Brussels, especially if you come from an ESL country, there are many questions that you will have to answer before making the final decision about which Brussels international school to choose for your child.

However, choosing the right school is a daunting task for parents, but with so many great schools in Brussels, it’s hard to go wrong. Take your time and visit as many as possible to get a sense of what each has to offer. Ask other expats for their recommendations and do some research online to see what others have said about each school.

In this article, we will walk you through the nine best international schools in Brussels for expats. Not only is that, but we have compiled the benefits of international schools in Brussels. Also, you’ll know why people love to study in any of the best international schools. Would you love to know more? Read on!

Benefits of Studying in Brussels

Brussels, as the capital of Europe and the headquarters of the EU, has been in the spotlight for every possible reason. The number of expats is increasing day by day. This increased rate of foreigners brings a new problem to locals – integrating them into their society.

Each year thousands of children from expat families come to study here, and if parents want them to be in the best position in terms of education, they must find the best international school in Brussels. Local schools can’t provide this kind of education where every child gets tuition according to their level and need.

This is when international school comes to the rescue with guaranteed high-quality education and better results. In this section, we have compiled the benefits of studying in Brussels. Without further ado, take a look at it below.

A Broad Curriculum

One of the main benefits of attending an international school is that your child will be exposed to a broad curriculum. This means that they will learn about different cultures and traditions from around the world, as well as gain a deeper understanding of the English language.

Not only is that, but the use of different teaching methods also broadens their horizons regarding how they learn. This can help them prepare for university in future years, where courses are taught in various ways, including lectures and seminars.

A Variety of Subjects and Topics

Another benefit of studying in an international school is that your child will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics and subjects. In addition to the core curriculum, many schools also offer specialized classes in science, technology, maths, and the arts.

This means that your child can gain a well-rounded education that covers various areas. And, if they decide to pursue higher education, they will be prepared for this too.

A Safe and Secure Environment

At an international school in Brussels, your child will likely spend hours each day in the classroom; therefore, the teaching environment must be conducive to learning. This generally means smaller class sizes, proper sanitary facilities, clean drinking water, and a safe environment.

Because the schools aren’t located in residential areas and don’t offer boarding facilities to students, they are generally very safe and secure. This can provide your child with peace of mind as they learn each day.

An Educated and Trained Teaching Staff

One of the most important factors when choosing an international school in Brussels for your child is the quality of teaching staff. All schools must employ qualified and trained teachers in order to be accredited. This means that you can trust that your child is being taught by educators who are passionate about their work and have the necessary skills to help them grow and develop.

An English-speaking Environment

Finally, one of the best reasons to choose an international school in Brussels for your child is because it will be an environment surrounded by other English speakers. This makes it much easier for them to learn and process what’s being taught in class while also boosting their fluency in the English language.

With this increased exposure to English, your child will have an easier time learning the language when they start speaking with friends and family outside of school. As well as this, it can also open up opportunities for them in future careers, where most positions require excellent oral and written skills. It’s never too late to start learning a new language.

Higher Chances of Universities Acceptance

One of the biggest benefits of attending an international school in Brussels is that students who study at some of the top universities in the world are more likely to be accepted. This includes institutions like Harvard Business School, Oxford University, and Cambridge University.

Of course, this will depend on the quality of the school and how well your child performs while attending, but it’s a good indication that if you want your child to have a bright future, an international school in Brussels may be the best place for them.

Better Chances of Receiving College Scholarships

When it comes to securing college scholarships, students who attend international schools in Brussels are at an advantage. This is because they can learn about different cultures and speak more than one language, skills that can be highlighted during scholarship applications.

Improved Self-confidence

Finally, one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an international school in Brussels is the confidence they can build. While like-minded peers surround students, their self-confidence will grow as they learn about different topics and subjects each day.

This improved self-confidence is something that they carry with them throughout life, making it easier to secure jobs or further their education in the future. Children need to attend an international school in Brussels as it can set them up with a range of skills that will help them thrive later on in life, regardless of which direction they choose to go down.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

So, you’ve made the decision to move to Brussels. Congratulations! This beautiful city has a lot to offer expats. But before you can start enjoying all that Brussels has to offer, there are a few things you need to understand before planning to relocate. In fact, there are plenty of apartments and houses for rent, as well as furnished rooms.

Also, you can find a place to live through classified ads, estate agents, or by word of mouth. Brussels is well-connected, so it’s easy to find your way around. Just make sure you understand how to use the metro, trams, and buses before leaving. Besides, traffic congestion in Brussels is nothing like what you’ll experience in other cities, but there are traffic jams on the ring road during rush hours.

Once you’ve found a place to live, it’s time to get settled in. Also, get a Belgian bank account! This will make it easy to pay bills and receive payments from abroad. Moreover, living in Brussels could be your best decisions in 2022. All you need is to read through what we’ve compiled here for you. Another important thing to do is get a Belgian phone number.

This will make it easier for people to contact you, and you can use it to receive calls from abroad at a lower cost. Have you surfed the internet to get the right information about moving to Brussels as an expat? Look no further, as we’ve got you covered in this article to explain the best areas and suburbs in Brussels.

That being said, we have compiled some of the pros and cons of living in Brussels to give you a head start. Aside from this fact, you’ll know more about the best tourist attractions, and many others, to mention a few. Are you ready to explore what we have for you? If that sounds like a yes, read further!

Concept of Living in Brussels as an Expat

Living in Brussels is quite different from what you’ve been experiencing in the Western world. To make your way out, and relocate to this place, you need some guidelines and ultimate tips.

Firstly, Brussels is not a huge city. For example, you could walk from the northernmost to the southernmost points of Brussels in under an hour. So you can definitely get around on foot! But there are usually other ways to get to where you’re going, too – buses and trams run regularly across the city and serve most neighborhoods. And if all else fails, there are taxis!

Brussels is also home to an international population. So whether you’re looking for a friendly conversation over a coffee or wanting to make friends with people from other countries, you won’t have any problems connecting with the community here. Many expats like to meet up with other expats for a drink or a meal, while others take the opportunity to learn about different cultures and customs.

So what else can you do here? There’s no shortage of museums, galleries, and other cultural attractions in Brussels. The city is particularly well known for its surrealist art, so why not check out some of the famous museums like the Magritte Museum or the MIM? If you’re a fan of music, theatre, or dance, there are plenty of events to choose from in Brussels. And if you just want to relax in a park or wander around some beautiful streets, Brussels has plenty of that too.

Tips to Moving To Brussels as an Expat

It can be daunting to uproot and move to a new city, especially in an unfamiliar place like Brussels. But with a bit of organization and advance planning, you can make a move, and go as smoothly as possible. So here are some tips that will help make your time in Brussels easier.

Where to Live

Brussels is an international city with people from all over Europe and the world living here, so you will have plenty of opportunities to meet new people and expats. However, even with all those options available, an expat needs to pick the right neighborhood in Brussels. Depending on your lifestyle and needs, different neighborhoods would be better suited for you.

If you’re looking for a lively neighborhood with plenty of bars, restaurants, and activities, then the EU district or Saint-Gilles would be good choices. If you’re looking for something more family-friendly with great schools and green spaces, neighborhoods like Uccle or Watermael-Boitsfort may be better suited for you.

Learning the Language

One of the biggest challenges for any expat is learning the local language. Brussels is no different, and while English is widely spoken, it’s always beneficial to learn some basic phrases in French or Dutch. There are plenty of language schools in Brussels that can offer classes for all levels.

And, once you start to get a grasp of the language, there are also plenty of ways to practice your speaking skills. There are many meetups and events for expats where you can meet locals and practice your conversation skills.

Getting Around

Brussels is a very walkable city, and most of the main attractions are in the city center. However, if you need to get around Brussels more quickly, there is an excellent public transport system. The buses, trams, and metro system are all easy to use and can take you pretty much anywhere in the city.

Finding a Job

One of the benefits of Brussels being an international city is that there are plenty of jobs available for expats. However, it can be difficult to find a job if you don’t have the right skills or experience. The best way to find a job in Brussels is to use the many online resources and available job boards.

Brussels is a small city, and it won’t take you long to commute between job boards or events with jobs on offer. Also, most international companies will have their hiring process, so it would be best to contact them directly for information about applying for jobs with your company’s HR department.

What to Do

Brussels is a very international city. This means that many events and cultural activities are going on so you will never be bored in this city. There’s always something new to discover, whether visiting a new museum or attending some festival.

There are all sorts of museums, galleries, and monuments in Brussels that expats should visit at least once. The Atomium is a must-see for anyone visiting Brussels, and the city’s churches are also very beautiful. As for festivals, there are many to choose from, but some of the most popular ones are the Jazz Festival, the Film Festival, and the Christmas market.