Whether you are in Asia, South America, or Europe — you will find an Armenian. The heart of Europe, Brussels, is no exception. In fact, KU Leuven welcomes dozens of brilliant Armenian minds every year. The ArmUnion, an organization founded last year, was created to foster connections and represent Armenian youth in the diverse and multicultural landscape of Belgium.

The Activities
The primary aim of the ArmUnion association is to bring together Armenian students studying at the KU Leuven Brussels campus and create a warm, supportive environment where they feel at home. At the same time, the association is committed to sharing Armenian culture with the wider student body by organizing inclusive events that encourage intercultural understanding and connection.

Despite being founded only last year, ArmUnion has already successfully held a variety of cultural activities, such as traditional dance nights, game evenings, and food tastings — bringing both Armenian and non-Armenian students together in a friendly and welcoming space.

The New Year’s Eve
The New Year’s Eve celebration, a joint event organized with several associations representing post-USSR countries, marked one of the highlights of ArmUnion’s past activities. Working closely with others, ArmUnion served delicious traditional Armenian food, while also offering halal and vegan meal options to accommodate students with different dietary needs and cultural backgrounds — ensuring the event was open to everyone.

The Connections
Ultimately, throughout its one year of existence, ArmUnion has helped establish something that would normally take years to achieve — connections. Most Armenian students at the campus now know each other by name, can reach out for help, meet up for monthly catch-ups, enjoy Armenian lavash and tolma, and hear their mother tongue despite being thousands of kilometers away from Armenia. That is what home feels like.

Moreover, Armenian students from other universities in Brussels have also reached out and attended events, enriching the network for young Armenians even further.

The Future
ArmUnion is still a one-year-old toddler. However, that toddler is moving fast. For the upcoming academic year, ArmUnion plans to expand its activities by incorporating academic and professional development opportunities, such as skill-building workshops, lectures, and collaborations with Armenian professionals in Brussels.