Dr. James is originally from New Jersey, but has lived in upstate New York, Philadelphia, Miami, a hamlet in Michigan, and most recently before Budapest, he spent 16 years in California.
He has a Masters in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of California. His Doctor of Education is in International and Multicultural Education with specializations in Second Language Acquisition and Teacher Training.
He has taught elementary school and college in the US and is an instructor at ELTE in the American Studies Program since 2002, giving him over 25 years of teaching experience. His current hobby is to blog his experiences at
www.budgetnomad.blogspot.com
(The picture was taken in Cape Town, South Africa in January 2006.)
1.When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I came to Budapest in December of 2001, but had no intentions of staying for
longer than 90 days at the time.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
No, this is my first and only experience.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The beauty of the buildings. I love looking at all of the architectural
styles. I am also impressed with the public transportation system.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and
do?
As touristy as it sounds, Castle Hill for the view if I cannot get them
to the Citadel. The Museum of Fine Arts, the Roth Miksa Stained Glass Museum
the Museum of Applied Arts, the Dohany Synagogue, Bog'Art Cafe and Café
Eklektika for coffees, then Troffea and Paprika restaurants for dinners.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
The goose at Paprika restaurant is to die for.
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Too many things to list. : (
7.What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Kérem, I am always begging someone to translate something.
8. What do you miss most from home?
Peanut butter, salted butter, real maple syrup, browsing the bookstores on a
Sunday afternoon, Hallmark card stores
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Architect or a Veterinarian
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Ditch digger or dog groomer
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Germany
12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
Scotland in one week
13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
"The Sound of Music" and "Bell, Book and Candle" - how is that for dating myself? My favourite hobby was anything art related.
14. What can't you resist?
A good book, a student's pleading, stained glass
15. Red wine or white?
Neither, I don't drink wine, but beer of any color.
16. Book or movie?
Always a book
17. Morning person or night person?
Morning? What is a morning? Is that the thing that happens when I go to bed?
18. Dog person or cat person?
Love dogs, especially the Norweigian Elkhound we gave up when we left the
States.
19. Buda or Pest side?
Pest is where it all happens.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
"It is never too late to be what you might have been." George Eliot