Xpat Interview: Alec Dean
- 20 Dec 2005 11:00 AM
Alexander “Alec” Dean was born in Austin, Texas in 1971. He was raised in Houston, Texas where he attended St. John’s School (besides being an excellent prep school, it was the set location and subject of graduate Wes Anderson’s film, Rushmore). Alec enrolled in the University of Texas, but concentrated on developing his social skills and never really attended class.
Fortunately, the computer boom was just taking shape and he was easily able to build a successful career for himself despite the lackluster college efforts. Alec has worked for computer/software companies (including his own) which focused on property management software and technology applications. After eight years, he was successful, but not happy. He needed a change. So, after some good fortune with a family owned and run oil business, he decided to take some time off.
At age 31, he quit his job as a business analyst and software developer and started enjoying a new life. Alec took up golf and played almost every day for 1 year. After his handicap broke 20, he decided to travel to Europe for about a month to play golf and visit his brother who lives in York, England. After a month stay in the U.K., he wanted to see more of the world. His brother encouraged Alec to extend the trip and recommended that he go to Hungary. He rescheduled his return flight and came to Budapest. Originally, his plan was to use the city as a home base for further travels. Alec found Hungary to be a beautiful country, with a rich history and wonderful people. After 2 years, he is still in Budapest.
He’s still traveling, but Budapest has now become a home instead of a home base. He never used his return ticket and he left much unfinished business in the states. Luckily, some friends were willing to terminate his apartment lease, sell his car, and find a home for all of his possessions. Professionally, Alec is working on some real estate investment projects in Texas and planning to start two small businesses in Budapest in 2006. He has a wonderful Hungarian fiancée, Dézsan Edit. He and Edit plan on living in Budapest for many years to come.
Xpat Interview:
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in March, 2004. My brother spent a month here in ’98 and loved it. I also thought that the country’s central location would be conducive to travel.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
No.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
How well behaved the children are.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
Thermal baths, Hungarian home-cooked meal, Hungarian wine tasting.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Lecsó.
6. What food from home do you miss the most?
Tex-Mex.
7. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Milk.
8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Advertising, acting.
9. What’s a job you would definitely never want?
I think Lloyd Dobler put it best in the movie, “Say Anything”: “I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that.”
10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Celebrated Thanksgiving at my brother’s house in York, England.
11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Fiji.
12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
My favorite band was The Cult. My favorite movie was Fletch.
13. What can’t you resist?
Ice Cold Beer.
14. Red wine or white?
Prior to arriving in Hungary, I wouldn’t touch white wine, but now, I think I actually favor it.
15. Decaf or regular?
Uhhh… Regular.
16. Book or movie?
Movie.
17. Morning person or night person?
Depends on the hangover.
18. Dog person or cat person?
I like them both. I could never choose.
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Pest today, Buda Tomorrow.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
“It won’t mean a thing in 100 years” - John Popper
“In destinies sad or merry, true men can but try”- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
At age 31, he quit his job as a business analyst and software developer and started enjoying a new life. Alec took up golf and played almost every day for 1 year. After his handicap broke 20, he decided to travel to Europe for about a month to play golf and visit his brother who lives in York, England. After a month stay in the U.K., he wanted to see more of the world. His brother encouraged Alec to extend the trip and recommended that he go to Hungary. He rescheduled his return flight and came to Budapest. Originally, his plan was to use the city as a home base for further travels. Alec found Hungary to be a beautiful country, with a rich history and wonderful people. After 2 years, he is still in Budapest.
He’s still traveling, but Budapest has now become a home instead of a home base. He never used his return ticket and he left much unfinished business in the states. Luckily, some friends were willing to terminate his apartment lease, sell his car, and find a home for all of his possessions. Professionally, Alec is working on some real estate investment projects in Texas and planning to start two small businesses in Budapest in 2006. He has a wonderful Hungarian fiancée, Dézsan Edit. He and Edit plan on living in Budapest for many years to come.
Xpat Interview:
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in March, 2004. My brother spent a month here in ’98 and loved it. I also thought that the country’s central location would be conducive to travel.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
No.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
How well behaved the children are.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
Thermal baths, Hungarian home-cooked meal, Hungarian wine tasting.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Lecsó.
6. What food from home do you miss the most?
Tex-Mex.
7. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Milk.
8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Advertising, acting.
9. What’s a job you would definitely never want?
I think Lloyd Dobler put it best in the movie, “Say Anything”: “I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that.”
10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Celebrated Thanksgiving at my brother’s house in York, England.
11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Fiji.
12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
My favorite band was The Cult. My favorite movie was Fletch.
13. What can’t you resist?
Ice Cold Beer.
14. Red wine or white?
Prior to arriving in Hungary, I wouldn’t touch white wine, but now, I think I actually favor it.
15. Decaf or regular?
Uhhh… Regular.
16. Book or movie?
Movie.
17. Morning person or night person?
Depends on the hangover.
18. Dog person or cat person?
I like them both. I could never choose.
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Pest today, Buda Tomorrow.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
“It won’t mean a thing in 100 years” - John Popper
“In destinies sad or merry, true men can but try”- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight