I was born in Saginaw, Michigan, USA and recently finished my studies at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan, USA. I spent all of my life, with the exception of the last year during which I was studying abroad, where I was born.
Going abroad was a great experience during my studies and I decided to continue living outside of the USA for an undecided amount of time.
I am here currently working for ExxonMobil's Business Support Center as an Inventory Accountant. This is my first "real" job as previously I had worked retail and held an internship back home in Michigan. I love living in Budapest and plan to stay here as long as possible.
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I first came to Hungary in August 2005 on a study abroad program through my university in the US. I felt it was important to spend some time studying abroad and the opportunity to come here presented itself and I took advantage of it.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Following my semester here I moved to France to spend my last semester of studies. Apart from that I never even lived in a different city before I came here.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
How helpful people are. My first experience with a Hungarian person in Hungary was when I arrived at the hotel I was staying at with all my luggage. There were stairs leading into the hotel and I had to carry my large, heavy suitcases up and I was having difficulty. This random woman waiting for a trolley bus grabbed a suitcase and took it up the stairs for me. I never would have expected anything like this to happen, even in the US it is not so common. Since then I've found that if I am having difficulties I can ask for help and usually the person I ask is helpful and seemingly happy to help.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
Gellért Hill all the way to the top at night- I love the view and the city looks so peaceful and quiet from up there. Hõsök Tere just to see it because it is a nice monument, Széchenyi Fürdõ for relaxation, and a nice walk at the banks of the Duna.
5. What is your favorite Hungarian food?
Paprikás Csirke with dumplings.
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Bottled water, butter with salt, a chocolate of some sort, cheese, and ham or salami depending on what I feel like that week.
7. What is your favorite Hungarian word?
Köszönöm- I don't know too much Hungarian yet since I've only been a total of 8 months in Hungary and only had an introductory Hungarian course while studying here.
8. What do you miss the most from home?
My friends and family. Having lived in the same place practically my whole life I don't really miss the city or the state- but the people I was close with I miss.
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I always wanted to be involved in international business, maybe something in marketing. I would like to create something like a campaign that can be applied and adapted to different countries. Other than that I always thought it would be an interesting challenge to have my own business, though as of yet I have no really good ideas for one- maybe some will come later.
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
There are many jobs I would never want, on of which is a metro driver, I can't think of a job that would be more boring for me. Just going back and forth in the same tunnel all day would drive me crazy.
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Odessa, Ukraine visiting friends and enjoying the city, though it was a bit cold since it was January.
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
I actually would go back to Odessa, though in the summer this time.
13 What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Film: Rushmore, Royal Tenenbaums Band: Starlight Mints, Reel Big Fish Hobby: Video games. This all still applies today though the hobby has changed to photography.
14. What can't you resist?
Chocolate, buying music, anything that I can buy for my computer or camera. Going to Saturn or MediaMarkt is dangerous, but the Apple Store kills me.
15. Red wine or white?
Neither- I don't drink alcohol
16. Book or movie?
Movie- Huge movie fan though if it is a movie based on a book, I'd take the book over the movie.
17. Morning person or night person?
Morning I always feel more productive and get the most accomplished- from then it is all downhill.
18. Dog person or cat person?
Dog
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Pest
20.What would you say is your personal motto?
The lack of change is to be feared, not change.