Making REAL Friends in Belgium as a Black Woman | Building Community Abroad |
They say moving abroad changes you, but no one ever talks about what it really takes to find your community and build your tribe. In Belgium, I’ve faced struggles I never saw coming, and I want to share my experience of building a sense of belonging—how it compares to my time in Lisbon, and what I’ve learned along the way.
Welcome (or welcome back)! My name is Heather Courtney, one of the original founders of Black in Portugal. I recently relocated to Belgium for love (which I’ll share more about in another video), but today, I want to talk about community.
In this video, I take a deep dive into:
✅ How I built a thriving community in Lisbon
✅ The challenges of making friends in Belgium
✅ My journey from isolation to finding a support system
✅ The cultural differences in community-building between Portugal & Belgium
✅ Tips on how YOU can build a community wherever you are in the world
If you’re new here, don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more content on expat life, travel, and building community abroad!
Let’s keep the conversation going! Drop a comment below:
🌍 Are you living abroad?
💬 Have you struggled to find your tribe?
📍 What has helped you build community in a new country?
💫 Check out my PDF of over 130+ Black and Brown communities to connect with globally.
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGI_BAxsqE/MZVNhhNYCUAWRuOHA4BsjQ/view?utm_content=DAGI_BAxsqE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h11a567d566
🌍 Resources for Your Journey
• Airalo eSIM: Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack. Use code HEATHE0924 at sign-up or checkout. Visit: https://ref.airalo.com/vsm6
• Guide to Black-Owned Establishments in Lisbon: Download the Google list at https://heathercourtney.gumroad.com/l/guidetolisbonsheart
• Start Abroad Relocation Services: Learn more at https://startabroad.com/black-in-portugal/?linkId=lp_552490&sourceId=heather-proctor&tenantId=startabroad
• Traveling Mail
