- We ask that you be a paid-up member of the NATO International Club when participating in any of our Activities.
In some NIC Activities, there may be a small fee to cover the cost of materials. - NIC Health Statement:
We ask all NIC members to be considerate of each other’s health by staying home if you are ill.
— If you have a cough, fever, or cold symptoms stay home, rest and please come back when you are better.
— If you, a guest, or a child participating in any NIC activities are exhibiting any of these symptoms of illness, you may be asked to leave by a member of the Committee or by the activity leader.
COFFEE MORNINGS
NIC Coffee Mornings are a great opportunity to meet other people, catch up with everyone you know, work on your English and feel connected with people who are in the same situation.
There is normally a seasonal theme and speaker for each Coffee Morning. To see a sample of themes we have had, please press this link here: GALLERY
NIC Coffee Mornings are held each month at different places, starting at 10:00. More information about upcoming NIC Coffee Mornings is provided directly to members.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES and TOURS
Welcome to the NIC Cultural Activities. We enjoy guided visits in Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia. Would you like to know more about history, architecture, the arts? Do you like specialty Belgian food and beverages such as chocolates, beer and cheese pairings and wines? Would you like to attend one of the permanent or temporary museum exhibits? Belgium has so much to offer. We look forward to discovering it, together.
PLAYGROUP
You are invited to join our very active NIC Playgroup, organized by two members of the NIC with young children.
This group brings together parents of babies and toddlers to socialise, share experiences, and enjoy relaxed time together. The group meets regularly in child-friendly cafés, playgrounds, seasonal family events and special child-centred outings, creating a supportive space where both parents and little ones can connect and feel at home.
CREATIVE ARTS THEMED ACTIVITIES
Jewelry Workshops: This group is led by an Italian jewelry artisan who shares her sparkling, magical world while teaching you how to create your own jewels.
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Creative Circle: This group has a long history in the NIC, and covers a wide range of creative topics. We meet once or twice a month to work on our own projects and share some creative hours together. Periodically, there is a workshop within Creative Circle to share DIY craft or art techniques among the group.
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Photography: The goal of the group is to share an interest in photography. Which camera you use is up to you: smart phone, point and shoot, mirrorless or DSLR. There is a saying in photography that “the camera in your hands is the best one”. We go on photo walks depending on the interest of the members.
BOOKS & GAMES THEMED ACTIVITIES
Book Club: The NIC Book Club meets monthly to discuss a selected book. We generally meet for about two hours and usually have coffee and light refreshments. We order our own books in whatever language we choose but our discussions are held in English. A list of what we are reading can be found under the Book Club Titles section on the menu bar though this link: HERE.
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Burraco: This is a very popular Italian card game! It comes from the “pinnacola” (pinochle) family and it is quite similar to “canasta.” Burraco is easy to learn and great fun!
If you love playing cards, are curious about how to play, or simply enjoy good company, join us!
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Mahjong – Mahjong is a game of strategy using Chinese tiles.
You are invited to join our newly reactivated NIC Mahjong group. All are welcome — those who have played before and those who are new to the game.
LANGUAGE CONVERSATION GROUPS
Basic English Conversation
Join an easy and fun English course for beginners, or elementary learners. Here we are going to use different topics for developing speaking skills with a sprinkle of grammar, though adding vocabulary is also important. The classes could be once/ twice a month.
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Intermediate English Conversation
This group is led by a native English speaker from Australia. The class is fun, with a focus on gaining confidence and improving pronunciation of tricky English words!
Some topics are prepared in advance, but the overall structure of the group is based on the broad ability of the group.
Come along and be prepared to chat, drink coffee and have a laugh!
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Advanced English Conversation
In this group you will have the opportunity to practise your English and find answers to your questions about pronunciation, grammar or even the differences in spelling between US and UK English!
The main aim of our sessions will be to practise conversation in a relaxed environment (with cups of tea, of course!) but we will also read newspaper articles or extracts from books in order to provoke questions about the English language and further discussion.
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French Conversation:
Bonjour,
Vous parlez un peu, beaucoup ou pas du tout français? No problem! If you’d like the chance to practice French in a friendly atmosphere around a coffee, come and join us for some fun!
CULINARY THEMED ACTIVITIES
Cook with Me: This group has the goal of sharing traditional and family recipes or any knowledge about herbs or food and how to cook it. So you just need to be curious and passionate about cooking.
Open your kitchen (either you cook or you host) and you don’t need to have a big room or a professional space because you decide how many persons to host . You can also choose to have one more session. It’s up to you! We want to enjoy in a friendly and easy-going environment.
For the budget and expenses of the host, we can either split the costs among the participants, or the host can choose to ask for other things to be contributed, like side dishes or wine.
We meet at least once a month on Wednesday or Thursday and the host chooses the date.
The guests have to bring their aprons and enjoy cooking under the supervion of the host.
It’s fun and you’ll make new friends while cooking or around a table.
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NIC for Foodies: This is an electronic recipe exchange group, sharing all kinds of Belgian grocery store finds, as well as “what’s for dinner” in various homes.
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NIC Out to Lunch (OTL): This is a very popular group, in which we try different restaurants, in different neighbourhoods to sample different cuisines, based on member recommendations.
Everyone is welcome … the language of food is international!!
SPORTS & FITNESS
Doggie Walks – available to a *NEW* leader!
This group meets once a month to walk in dog-friendly places in the region.
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Hike with Me is a very active group with many participants enjoying time outdoors together in the Belgian countryside. The routes are chosen with the occasional historic or architectural site alongside beautiful trails of varying length and difficulty. The length is usually 8-12 km, so it is usually suitable for all levels of fitness.
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Mindful Breath is a group which meets to practice the techniques for mindful breathing. Each session is guided by a mindfulness and yoga teacher. No experience necessary!
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Pilates ONLINE is being offered by a NIC member who is a physiotherapist. These sessions take place through a digital link, which is sent to the participants before the sessions.
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Relaxing Cycling:
This activity is seasonal and pauses during the winter.
Hey fellow bike lovers and little adventurers, we’re starting a monthly bike ride, to explore Brussels together – one ride at a time!
Whether you’re a parent with kids, a cycling enthusiast, or just looking for a friendly group to pedal with, you’re welcome here!
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Walk with Me in Brussels:
Walking is the most natural and healthy kind of travel.
We will travel the city that is hosting us by foot, with an active pace but without stress, to have fun, take pictures and share information about hidden gems to visit, restaurants to try and experiences to live.
Brussels has beautiful corners that deserve to be explored and lived. Be prepared to get to know the city contrasts: the elegance of its architectural facades and the colors of its ethnic markets. The aim of the walking group is to share the enthusiasm for this city, to show hidden corners to the newcomers and last but not least to stay fit in a fun way.
We will walk main boulevards passing by places of interest as well as secondary streets far from the crowd, looking for new spots and inspirations.
WORKSHOPS: Beauty and Health
Health and beauty are the main components that keep us going every day. We want both, and we ask ourselves many questions, we go through many trials.
This activity group helps us complete certain information, avoid certain mistakes, and reach the desired results faster thanks to the guests who share their professional experiences with us.
Previous Activity Groups in the NATO International Club
The NIC membership has always been full of talent, which has given the club a rich history of Activity Groups. There is room for new Activity Leaders in the NIC – either to revive a previous group or to begin a new one!
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BAKE WITH ME – available to a new Activity Leader
Bake with Me was a group that met each month to learn about specialty cakes and pastries, with an emphasis on Christmas and holiday baking.
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BIKE WITH ME – available to a new Activity Leader
Bike with Me was a group of NIC members who loved to cycle together – on both paved bike paths, as well as paths through woods and fields.
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BUNCO – available to a new Activity Leader
Bunco is a game involving dice and is very social.
The previous NIC Bunco group was organized circa once a month and took place during the day, with a communal lunch for the participants.
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BROCANTE TREASURE HUNTING – available to a new Activity Leader
Brocante & Treasure Hunting was an online group, sharing ideas and locations for where to discover Brocante and Vintage Markets all around Belgium.
Occasionally, “field trips” were organized for shopping in different locations. In the words of the founding Coordinator for Treasure Hunting: “We live in antique heaven! Belgium and our surrounding countries have incredible treasure hunting opportunities!”
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COLLECTORS CLUB – available to a new Activity Leader
Collectors Club was for those who enjoy collecting – from badges or postage stamps to typewriters, clocks or Christmas ornaments, vintage or new. In this group we shared our stories, experiences, places to look for collectibles, advice and tips on how to arrange the collection.
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DRAWING/SKETCHING – available to a new Activity Leader
Drawing/Sketching was offered by a NIC member who taught others how to begin the process of drawing and sketching the world around us.
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EXERCISE GROUP – available to a new Activity Leader
The NIC Exercise Group was led by a NIC member who was also a physiotherapist. The exercise sessions met once or twice each month and combined different kinds of stretching, Pilates and Yoga, together with learning techniques for correct posture while standing and also while working at a desk.
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NIC CHOIR – available to a new Activity Leader
The NIC Choir was a vibrant group of NIC members who love music and singing. If you play the piano, enjoy arranging music or leading a choir with periodic opportunities to perform, please consider reviving the NIC Choir.
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Workshop: NAVIGATING THE HEART OF EXPAT LIFE
Navigating the Heart of Expat Life was a monthly workshop designed to help members find successful ways to adjust to life in Brussels.
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NORDIC WALKING – available to a new Activity Leader
Nordic Walking was available to those NIC members who enjoyed a brisk and social walk (with or without poles!) through the many wooded paths available to us in the Brussels region.
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RUNNING CLUB – available to a new Activity Leader
Running Club was a group open to runners of all levels. The group met for casual runs in and around the region’s beautiful parks. Each route was about 5km in distance.
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SCRIPT READING – available to a new Activity Leader
Script Reading was a group led by a NIC member with experience in theater and the stage. This group was very popular among the NIC members, as the scripts chosen (poetry, text, dramatic scenes) offered a chance to focus on pronunciation of the words and rhythm of the sentences in that language. The Script Reading group performed from time to time at NIC Coffee Mornings to show what they had been practicing.
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SPANISH CONVERSATION – available to a new Activity Leader
Spanish Conversation was a group led by two members of the NIC. The group was designed to help beginners and intermediate speakers to grow their vocabularies in a friendly atmosphere.
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