Being a founding member of a university back home in Germany instilled Nicole with a “you can do just about anything” mentality. So, she did. Together with her colleague she set up a career development program for that university, gave trainings on career related topics there, guided people through cities and on mission trips in other places, interpreted for butterflies… Then, one day, the sneaky trailing spouse syndrome caught up with her in the middle of Flanders after coming to Leuven for her husband's job and with little kids.

Her motto, “Embrace it if you can’t beat it,” led her to develop the pilot dual career program for the University of Leuven, which was highly appreciated by the participants. Nicole is also a city guide in Leuven, currently following a Transactional Analyses coaching training and proud co-founder of Talent Interlock.

Lea came to Leuven two years ago as her husband started a position at KU Leuven, together with their small child. Originally from Germany, she has lived and worked abroad before coming to Belgium, in places including Australia and Washington D.C. However, moving countries for your partner’s job – leaving behind your own – turned out to bring along some extra challenges.

Lea used the momentum she found as a traveling spouse to co-found Talent Interlock, which offers dual career services as well as career coaching and empowerment for expat spouses to help them maintain and grow their own career in their new country. Lea previously worked for think tanks in Berlin and for an international company in Brussels as a government relations manager for sustainability. She now lives in Leuven with her husband and two kids.

1. Give yourself time. Moving countries (especially as a partner) might have been a bigger change then you initially thought. (Re-)Building your career in the new country doesn’t happen overnight.
2. Know what you have to offer and know what you want but stay open to serendipity and new career paths.
3. Network / find a mentor. And don’t hesitate to network in Ghent if you are looking for information for Leuven, or vice versa. People know each other in Flanders.
4. If you are coming as the spouse of someone who is coming here for his/her job: Ask your partner's employer for help!
5. Don't just look into the bigger, more obvious companies for vacancies. Start-ups are much more flexible, also regarding your language skills!
6. Start learning the local language!

Want to know more about what you saw in Lea and Nicole's video or have read about here? Check out these links

• Aside from the company website, you can find out more and connect with Talent Interlock via their Facebook and LinkedIn profiles
  • You are also welcome to connect with Nicole and Lea via their personal LinkedIn profiles
• Lea and Nicole also highly recommend these Facebook groups for making connections, getting support, and making the most of your Leuven experience
  • Women in Business Facebook group
  • Expat and International Parents Leuven Facebook group
  • The Leuven Value Network

• They also recommend you check out job fairs, like this one
• At the end of the video, we see Lea and Nicole with their friends and families at Hal 5
• Lea lives in the Groot Begijnhof, a stunning example of the women communities that were popular in 13th-century Belgium. You can find out more about its history here. The 13 Flemish beguinages still preserved are a combined UNESCO World Heritage site, and Leuven's is the largest of the group.