Newcomer's Days

Headquarters Support Group usually holds three Newcomers' Orientation briefings during the year: one in June and two in September.

• The first part is structured to help newcomers to become accustomed with their new environment and to living in Belgium.
• The second part is designed to help ease the official matters of settling in and to provide information about arrival procedures, housing, medical facilities, etc.

The first day is mandatory for the new SHAPE members (military or civilian members). Their families are encouraged to also attend this first day session.

• The tour begins with a visit of Les Grands Prés, which is the nearest shopping mall in the Mons area. Newcomers are welcomed by the Manager of the Belgacom boutique where coffee, tea and biscuits are offered and welcome packages are distributed; including gifts and coupons offered by the shopkeepers of Les Grands Prés.
• The tour also includes a guided visit in the Collegiate Church of Sainte-Waudru, a jewel of Gothic architecture built from 1449 to 1686. It continues with a walk through the pedestrian streets of Mons to the Grand-Place, where everyone will have the opportunity to caress the head of the well-known ‘lucky-charm' monkey.
• The tour ends at the Town Hall in Mons with a reception, hosted by Mr. Nicolas Martin, Alderman of Trade and Tourism, and the distribution of welcome packages with gifts and coupons offered by the shopkeepers of Mons.

The second day is free and is highly recommended for the whole family since this guided tour will help you getting familiarized with the place you will live for a couple of years.