Anne Savonie from Belgian Mondays
Belgian Mondays is a non-profit organization that aims at gathering Belgian expats in or around cities such as Miami, Atlanta and New York City. The company’s goal is to give a helping hand to Belgians who are new to the area by arranging events once a month, on the first Monday. Belgian expat, Anne Savonie is in charge of organizing these outings in New York City.

Get to know Anne:
Why did you leave Belgium? / Why did you move to the USA?
- “I married a Frenchman who had a job at the United Nations in New York and stayed here.”
How does your life look like right now?
- “I love my life. I live in the middle of Manhattan and have a positive outlook on things.”
Are Americans and Belgians very different?
- “Yes they are very different but we are all human beings, so we are very similar too.”
How do you connect to Belgium?
- “I have close friends and family still in Belgium and visit often. I still cook like in Belgium and try to meet as many Belgians as I can in New York. I did not try to be an American, I stayed very Belgian.”
How do you relax in the USA?
- “I go out, entertain friends, take day trips, sit in a restaurant, go to concerts and museums.”
What's your favorite US meal/treat?
- “I like the quality of ingredients here.”
What do we have to do to get you back in Belgium?
- “I will keep visiting regularly but don't plan to go back permanently.”
Which Belgian do you admire most?
- “The people who conceived to put some parts of Flanders under water during the First World War.”
Which American do you admire most?
- “Eleanor Roosevelt.”
What was your biggest surprise in the USA?
- “The size of the country.”
In the past, Belgian Mondays NYC has met at La Petite Abeille, La Tarte Flambée, Neuhaus, and more.

For more information on Anne and/or Belgian Mondays, visit www.belgianmondays.org/.
This article is part of our series called “Belgians in the USA.” Belgians in the USA aims at promoting Belgian talent across the globe. It includes a variety of individuals who have gotten the privilege to experience the world and all of its glory when they decided to follow their business-driven aspirations and leave their “beer-loving,” “waffle-making” home country to move to the “land of the free.” Take a look at our other articles to learn about Belgian-based businesses arising in the US and read the inspiring individuals’ stories as they discuss life as an expatriate and what it takes to be a “Belgian in the USA.”