A feeling of advancement infuses Brussels as the city remakes itself as the European Union's capital. This excitement is embodied by attractions like Mini-Europe, a park featuring excruciatingly accurate miniature reproductions of Europe's most revered sites. While there may be something eerie about Mini-Europe's boast, "You can even bring down the Berlin wall for posterity," its site shows Brussels reflecting on its heritage while embracing a new age.

Find Out More The expatriate Web sites Expatica.com, Expatriate Online, Xpats.com and Expat Access offer useful information about living and working in Brussels. The Bulletin, available at most news stands in Brussels, is a weekly English language magazine that features news, local arts and entertainment coverage and classified listings. The Official Brussels Web Site provides a trove of information about business, government, tourism, culture and other aspects of the city. It also includes lists of professional associations, European institutions and other international organizations. The American Club of Brussels sponsors dinners, luncheons, cocktail hours and other events. The first overseas office of the US Chamber of Commerce opened in Brussels about three years ago. Learn more about the US Chamber of Commerce's international branches.

Located close to Paris, Luxembourg, London, Bonn and Amsterdam, Brussels is a center for European trade and a buzzing international city, hosting more than 2,000 foreign companies, 1,400 of which are American. Brussels is also home to 1,400 international nongovernmental organizations.

Career opportunities abound, as is apparent during a stroll through the streets, lined with employment agencies like Adecco, Manpower and Vedoir. Listings on Monster for positions in Brussels include: Internet developer, systems engineer, finance director, project manager, executive assistant, recruiting manager, finance director and fashion industry sales representative.

The Culture

For such a bustling metropolis, Brussels can seem surprisingly relaxed. "People are a lot more mellow. They're not rush, rush, rush like they are in the States," says Jaclyn Sekula, an international studies and chemical engineering student who spent a semester in Brussels.

Sekula notes that adapting to Belgian culture can be difficult initially, because the people are reserved. "They are friendly in some ways but not in others," she explains. "If you go to a restaurant, the waiter doesn't greet you. When my parents came they thought it was rude. I was like, 'No, no. They're just like that. They can be the nicest people in the world.'"

Like many other countries, it is customary to greet people by kissing on the cheek. But if you're used to French kissers, you might be surprised that in Belgium people usually kiss three times on the cheek, not two. Normally, men kiss women, women kiss other women, and men shake hands with other men.

Social commitments are taken very seriously in Belgium, and it is considered rude to refuse an invitation without offering an excuse. And while you should never arrive early for dinner, do not arrive more than 15 minutes late either. Always bring a gift. Flowers or chocolates are good choices; wine and liquor are usually only given to close friends.

Expatriates in Brussels

Perhaps because Brussels lacks some of the romantic pull of Paris or Prague, much of its allure rests in its career opportunities. This means that expatriates generally stay for longer, founding associations like the Gay/Lesbian Hiker Group, the Chill Out Club and Toastmasters of Brussels. While social and professional expatriate clubs flourish, the city is not saturated with Americans. "I don't really see the US having as large of a presence here as it does in other countries," says Sekula. "Even with tourism, you don't see that many Americans here. It's not like Paris."

Life in a Bilingual City

The official languages of Brussels are French and Dutch. And although French and English dominate business in the downtown area, laws exist to protect the Dutch language. Sekula, who studied French in school and picked up some Dutch from her boyfriend, enjoyed living in a bilingual city. "I like the fact that they speak another language," she says. "I thought that was really cool."

But it can also be quite challenging. Even if you speak French or Dutch fluently, you should still allow your ears several weeks to adapt to Belgian variations of the languages.

Visas and Residence Permits

Belgian requirements for visas and residence permits are considerably more progressive than those in other European countries. For example, partners of Belgian citizens or legal residents, not just spouses, are eligible for temporary residence permits.

Visas for university students, high school exchange students, interns and employees can all be obtained at Belgian embassies and consulates. In addition, Professional Cards allow highly qualified individuals to practice independently. The Embassy of Belgium in the United States' Web site provides information about visas and residence permits.

The European Citizens Action Service (ECAS), based in Brussels, provides free advice from legal experts on visas and residence permits. For more information about ECAS visit its Web site or call +32.2.548.04.90.