Hi all! Im an Australian ....This is my first post to this site. I have lived for 1 year now in The Netherlands but I am moving over the border into Belgium (Rekem).. not far from Maastricht area on January 15th.... I am looking to meet some people also in this area?????

Fat chance of that happening. Try meeting some people from around Antwerp, Brussels, or Ghent and take a train there for a day/night. Trains begin running early enough in the mornings, so you can just go bar-hopping until your train leaves the next day.

Believe it or not, there are expats from areas other than around Antwerp,
Brussels and Ghent. Occassionally I do go into the bigger towns but it's usually for a specific purpose so I don't have any time for socialising. Though here's an idea, why don't you expats from Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent get out & explore the rest of Belgium where there's just as much to do & where the scenery is better & the locals are friendly & polite?

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Hi Everyone! I'm an Australian who has just come overseas. I'm looking to meet new people. I'm learning French but at the moment I can only speak English. i'm just looking to meet some people to hang out with?? =)

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I'm more then happy to go exploring other parts of Belgium =) Really just looking to meet up with people occationally and just to be able to speak with people.

Hey becana,

What are your interests? I am American, and I live in Brussels. My friends and I (a Canadian and a Kiwi) are looking to start a group ( I know it sounds silly)to get people together. I'm an artist, one is a writer/photographer, and the other a writer.. we want to get people together to socialize, take day trips... all of this is a concept of course.

Anyway, I am definitely in to the idea of making friends, regardless of our group idea. I too am learning French and it has been difficult for me to meet the locals.. although I'm not sure how much easier it would be even if I did speak French/Flemish. If you want to, send me an email, tell me more about yourself.
<a href="mailto:shannon.moyer@gmail.com" Target="_BLANK">shannon.moyer@gmail.com</a>

Hey Shannon, it's Becana (i'm not logged in so i don't think it will show my name on here) did you get my email?

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Hi I'm British but just moved here if you're interested in meeting up.
Lydia

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Hi Everyone! I'm an Australian who has just come overseas. I'm looking to meet new people. I'm learning French but at the moment I can only speak English. i'm just looking to meet some people to hang out with?? =)

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Quote: Hey Lydia - email me at <a href="mailto:becana_joy@hotmail.com" Target="_BLANK">becana_joy@hotmail.com</a> so we can chat and organise to meet up =)
becana

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Hi I'm British but just moved here if you're interested in meeting up.
Lydia

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Hi Everyone! I'm an Australian who has just come overseas. I'm looking to meet new people. I'm learning French but at the moment I can only speak English. i'm just looking to meet some people to hang out with?? =)

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Hi Becanna, where are you located ?
I will be near Liege mid Nov for 6 mth contract. If your about we can see the sights etc. contact me at <a href="mailto:benton.mac@mac.com" Target="_BLANK">benton.mac@mac.com</a> if you like- ciao

Hi NEJ, I'll be living near Liege/verviers as of mid nov 06.
We could catch up for a beer or two ?
What do you do there ?
Until then contact at <a href="mailto:benton.mac@mac.com" Target="_BLANK">benton.mac@mac.com</a>
Cheers - Benton

Ok so Ive tried to get info from local people
"on the ground "in belgium so to speak but alas there a pack of muppets !
I now ask you all to PLEEEEEEEASE tell me how it works in comparison to the ausi Medicare system.
Thanks guys - cheers Benton

Quote:Hi i'm an English nanny about to start work in Brussels and am also interested in meeting up with other people to hang out with.I will start in 2 weeks time. I am 27 and love dancing, singing, walking, art and adventures. I too am hoping to learn French but only speak English and some German at the mo.

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Hi Everyone! I'm an Australian who has just come overseas. I'm looking to meet new people. I'm learning French but at the moment I can only speak English. i'm just looking to meet some people to hang out with?? =)

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Ok so Ive tried to get info from local people
"on the ground "in belgium so to speak but alas there a pack of muppets !
I now ask you all to PLEEEEEEEASE tell me how it works in comparison to the ausi Medicare system.
Thanks guys - cheers Benton

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Hi Benton,

The Belgian health insurance system is a bit more complicated than Medicare. Basically as I understand it, you must register with a health insurance fund, (there are 6 to choose from) or the Assistance Fund which is an official body. If you don't have an income then you have to be a "dependant" of someone who is registered. Once you are registered you get a SIS card and you can get reimbursed for medical expenses. You have to pay to go to the doctor and then you claim for the expenses through your health fund. You won't get all of it back but you'll receive a good lot of it (about 75%). Same goes for buying medicine. Hope this helps.

HI all,

Me too, I am new to Brussels and would like to get together with new people, socialize and explore Belgium. I am learning French, but I'm not quite there yet. I am a young professional working in a think-tank. Just in case here's my msn ID: alba_xh@hotmail.com. Maybe we can organize some event soon? Thanks.
Alba