John Nielsen arrived in Budapest in early January, 2005 from Denmark to take up the position of General Manger of Coloplast Hungary KFT.
His primary responsibility is to oversee the operations at Coloplasts manufacturing facility in Tatabanya. The plant crewed currently by 750 Hungarians, is part of a large investment by the Danish firm in Hungary. If all goes to plan, the facility will expand to 1200, by the year 2007.
Along for the ride in Hungary are Johns wife, Henriette, who recently started working for Velux and their 1 year old daughter, Kaya-Maria.
Xpat Interview
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in Budapest from Denmark in the beginning of January 2005 and my wife followed immediately after with our 1 month old baby girl. The occasion was an opportunity for expatriation in Hungary for both my wife and I (my wife after enjoying a maternity leave together with our firstborn).
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Worked abroad in the UK for 3 years not as an expat, but working though while my wife took her MBA
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The quality of the restaurants in Budapest and the Hungarian wines.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
Stroll down Andrassy út, have a drink in Gresham Palace and watch the city light up as the sun sets.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
The Kékfrankos grape!
6. What food from home do you miss the most?
Remoulade - a yellow substance containing among others cucumbers to be used together with / or instead of ketchup on hotdogs and French fries.
7. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Bottled still water
8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
The carefree career of a happy multi-billionaire
9. Whats a job you would definitely never want?
Nothing to do
10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
In Hungary with lots of visitors from our country of origin
11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
In Hungary without lots of visitors from our country of origin
12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I got a healthy infusion of Led Zeppelin, Cure, Deep Purple, The Doors and so on during my time as elite rower
13. What cant you resist?
Hâagen Dazs Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cre
. ouch
and of course my lovely wife more than anything.
14. Red wine or white?
We just had a splendid weekend in Villanyi, and my now favorite red wine is the Villanyi Kopar
15. Decaf or regular?
Tea
16
. Book or movie?
Books have been a favorite since learning to read. However, a movie that manages to translate a favorite book into motion is also a great experience.
17. Morning person or night person?
Mid day
18. Dog person or cat person?
With our close to twenty pounds, sharp clawed cat sleeping tentatively on the couch just inches away, I can only answer cat person!
19. Buda side or Pest side?
For living - Buda side definitely, less noise and spacious. For entertainment Pest side definitely.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
It would have to be something rather cliché like Unlease your true potential it is always bigger than you think