From Prague to Leuven: Linda Tejchmanová’s journey
In this new Czechast episode, lawyer and entrepreneur Linda Tejchmanová talks about building a life and career in Belgium. From studying two law degrees in parallel to co-founding the Czech-Belgian Chamber of Commerce, her story reflects both opportunities and dilemmas many Czechs abroad face. Recorded in Leuven, the conversation explores identity, motherhood, community, and the cultural nuances between Czechia and Belgium.
A Czech lawyer in Belgium: the story of Linda Tejchmanová
When Czech lawyer and entrepreneur Linda Tejchmanová moved to Belgium, she had no idea that the decision would shape both her professional future and her personal life. In the newest episode of Czechast, recorded on the streets of Leuven, she reflects on how she ended up studying two law degrees, raising a family abroad, and co-founding the Czech-Belgian Chamber of Commerce.
Two law degrees, two countries
One of the most striking parts of Linda’s story is her decision to complete both a Belgian and a Czech law degree at the same time. As she explains, the two systems don’t automatically transfer — and that led her to an unusual solution:
“Because if you have a law degree from Belgium, you cannot transfer it and then be a lawyer in the Czech Republic. So, I was already accepted to the law faculty at the Charles University when I started here. So, I said, let's try to study parallelly and I will see which university would be better. And then I realized it's possible to study both universities parallelly. So, yeah, I ended up with a Belgian law degree and with Czech degree as well.”
Building a bridge between Czechia and Belgium
Years later, Linda became one of the co-founders of the Czech-Belgian Chamber of Commerce, which supports Czech professionals and companies working in Belgium. According to her, the goal is broader than just business networking:
“We as a chamber, we know the system and our vision is to create a community who connects the Czech and Belgian, not only business…”
The organization now plays an important role for many Czechs living in Belgium who are navigating both cultural and practical challenges.
Motherhood, career, and difficult choices
Like many young families abroad, Linda had to make decisions that shaped her life permanently. One of the most significant was whether to continue her career in Czechia or stay in Belgium, where the work–life balance felt more realistic.
She describes the thought process openly:
“When I said to myself, we want to stay in Belgium, because I cannot imagine combining my motherhood with my career, and I know that it's quite hot topic at the moment in Czech Republic and there are a lot of organizations talking about this problematic in public, but seven, eight years ago, when it was important for me, I could not imagine that I can combine…”
This personal dilemma became one of the key reasons Linda and her family chose to remain in Belgium long-term.
What you miss when you leave home
Even after years in Leuven, some Czech habits and traits stay embedded. For Linda, the one thing she misses the most is a very Czech sense of humor:
“What I miss is the sarcastic humor. It's something I cannot imagine that I would use with my Belgian friends. So yeah, sarcastic humor is something which is missing here in Belgium.”
In the episode, Linda talks not only about work, studies, and motherhood, but also about what it means to be Czech abroad — how identity adapts, what remains unchanged, and how community can ease the transition.
You can hear the full conversation with Linda Tejchmanová in the latest episode of Czechast, available here on the Radio Prague International website and all major podcast platforms.
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Czechast, Radio Prague International
Czechast is a regular RPI podcast about Czech and Moravian culture, history, and economy.
