Xpat Interview: Marita Fietje
- 11 Jan 2006 11:00 AM
There is no better person to ask about the experiences of an expatriate than Marita Fietje. Marita, or „Frau Fietje” as the students address their beloved German teacher and Head of the Languages Department at the American International School of Budapest, has been an expat most of her life. She and her family have lived in Hong Kong, Taipei, London, Bangkok and Budapest over the last three decades.
Living away from her homeland, Germany and bringing up her two sons in foreign countries has not always been easy, but it has certainly made her a more open person. „I was „very German” when I first became an expat in Hong Kong” – Marita remembered her young and inexperienced self – „but today I consider myself a true cosmopolitan with roots still in Germany”.
When asked about „best and worst” places, Marita liked Hong Kong and London the most and found Taipei the most challenging place to live due to the lack of infrastructure back in the early 1970’s. She enjoyes living in Budapest and seeing all the changes that have taken place since she first moved here in 1991. She misses not being able to speak Hungarian, but it can’t stop her from bargaining like a pro at the Ecseri flea market. Marita is also the author of the book „Die klügeren Erwachsenen” („The wiser ones”) which is about kids and young people and their decision making, which is much more spontaneous and very often much better than that of adults because it is not haunted by the past.
Xpat Interview
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in Hungary 1991 and my ex-husband and younger son brought me here.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I have been an expat in Hong Kong, Taiwan, London and Bangkok.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
Nothing in particular, I think it is pretty similar to Austria and Germany where I am from.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
The Parliament and the beautiful illuminations of the bridges and the Castle district at night.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Gulyás soup
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Champagne
7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Kezit csókolom
8. What do you miss the most from home?
My native language, German
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Member of the European Parliament (politician)
10. What job you would definitely never want?
Bus driver
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Bangkok, Thailand
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Rome, Italy
13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I loved volleyball and all kinds of sports, my favourite singer was Elvis Presley, but only because my mom loved to listen to him.
14. What can’t you resist?
Chocolate and good French food and lobsters.
15. Red wine or white?
White wine.
16. Book or movie?
Book
17. Morning person or night person?
Definitely a night person.
18. Dog person or cat person?
Dog person.
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Pest
20.What would you say is your personal motto?
I do not have a personal motto, or at least I can't think of one right now. But the one of E. Costello „I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused” is quite good, this will be my motto for 2006.
When asked about „best and worst” places, Marita liked Hong Kong and London the most and found Taipei the most challenging place to live due to the lack of infrastructure back in the early 1970’s. She enjoyes living in Budapest and seeing all the changes that have taken place since she first moved here in 1991. She misses not being able to speak Hungarian, but it can’t stop her from bargaining like a pro at the Ecseri flea market. Marita is also the author of the book „Die klügeren Erwachsenen” („The wiser ones”) which is about kids and young people and their decision making, which is much more spontaneous and very often much better than that of adults because it is not haunted by the past.
Xpat Interview
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in Hungary 1991 and my ex-husband and younger son brought me here.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I have been an expat in Hong Kong, Taiwan, London and Bangkok.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
Nothing in particular, I think it is pretty similar to Austria and Germany where I am from.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
The Parliament and the beautiful illuminations of the bridges and the Castle district at night.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Gulyás soup
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Champagne
7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Kezit csókolom
8. What do you miss the most from home?
My native language, German
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Member of the European Parliament (politician)
10. What job you would definitely never want?
Bus driver
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Bangkok, Thailand
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Rome, Italy
13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I loved volleyball and all kinds of sports, my favourite singer was Elvis Presley, but only because my mom loved to listen to him.
14. What can’t you resist?
Chocolate and good French food and lobsters.
15. Red wine or white?
White wine.
16. Book or movie?
Book
17. Morning person or night person?
Definitely a night person.
18. Dog person or cat person?
Dog person.
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Pest
20.What would you say is your personal motto?
I do not have a personal motto, or at least I can't think of one right now. But the one of E. Costello „I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused” is quite good, this will be my motto for 2006.