Dr. Katalin Varga was initially denied a university place back in 1977 since her father worked at the US Embassy in Budapest and so her family were considered a 'political risk'. Therefore she started work with a technical firm and learnt computer skills from practical experience. As times changed
she was eventually accepted as a student and graduated as a computer programmer in 1982.
She then went on to study Psychology and in 1989 was awarded her Ph.D from ELTE University. The same year she opened the Hungarian office of Hill International Search & Selection Consulting, which is regarded as a leading figure in its professional field.
Today her focus is on her role as the Managing Director of Settlers Hungary, which has been serving expats for the last 12 years and was granted ISO 2000 accreditation in 2000. Her staff numbers around 20 people at Settlers these days, and between them they specialise in all aspects of expatriate life, such as: employment, residence, accommodation, taxation, corporate and personal documentation, plus other services regarding banking, schooling and translation. Clients include KPMG, Euronet, Air France, Auchan, Xerox,
Procter & Gamble, KLM, Gillette, Mc Kinsey, Convergys, Kereskedelmi és Hitel Bank, Brau Union, Takenaka, Samsung Cheil Industries.
Interview:
1. Where did you grow up?
Buda, 2nd district, Margit körút.
2. What Hungarian traditions bring back fond memories of your childhood?
Preparing the ornaments and decorating the tree at Christmas time, as well
as the traditional nativity play in the church. Painting eggs at Easter, and
then "busó járás".
3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?
Friends and relatives.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and
do?
Hosök square and the museums there, Vajdahúnyad castle at night, Andrássy
street, Buda Castle. Eat plenty of traditional Hungarian food and wine e.g.
at Gesztenyés restaurant in Budakeszi. Thermal Bathes: Szécsényi, Gellért
and Palatinus. The chairlift at Jánoshegy and all the nature reserves.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Fuszeres karaj sztrapacskával (spicy meat and sztrapacska), káposztás
cvekedli (cabbage with pasta), lapcsenko lángos (defies description!). And
although it's not traditionally Hungarian, seafood is another favourite which
is widely available in Budapest these days.
6.. What is never missing from your kitchen?
Fridge, freezer and kitchen cupboards are always full!
7.. What is your favourite place in Hungary?
Hajdúszoboszló for refreshment, the mountains for relaxation, and outside in
the garden at home is another favourite.
8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Gardening or raising cats would both be pleasant.
9. What's a job you would definitely never want?
A surgeon
10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Canary islands
11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Krakow, followed shortly afterwards with two weeks in Madrid, Spain.
12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Illés band, Easy Rider, collecting minerals and playing cards.
13.. What can't you resist?
Seafood, cats and all animals.
14. Red wine or white?
Rosé and white wine during the day, red in the evenings. The type also depends on the food.
15. Kolbász or szalámi?
Both, as long as its spicy.
16. Book or movie?
Book.
17. Morning person or night person?
Most active in the mornings.
18. Dog person or cat person?
Both, mostly cat but with all the positive traits of a dog! I have a cat
because a dog shouldn't be locked-up in my flat while I'm at work.
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Nothing is impossible.