Integration project unites Belgians, Expats in Europe’s capital
January 15, 2008
Brussels, the capital city of Europe, boasts a vibrant international community. So far, they’ve lived next to, not with, Belgians. A new integration project is trying to change that.
One would think that Brussels was a melting pot of social integration and interaction, given its mix of Flemish and Francophone locals and the large number of international residents tossed in for good measure. But the international community seems to operate safely within its expat comfort zone while the locals get on with their lives alongside the distant foreigners.
The King Baudouin Foundation, named after the country’s late monarch, is trying to change that. Its breXpat initiative aims to bring expats and local people closer together.
Read the article: Deutsche Welle, 13 January 2008
I talked with several Belgians from Brussels who know expats, and they explained me the main reason of expats living together is the difference of lifestyle.
Most expats are european state-employees, with a salary starting around 6000EUR net.
Knowing that a good net salary is around 2000 in Belgium (because of high taxes), it is not surprising that there’s a huge gap between life standards.