On and off Andrew has lived in Hungary for a total of seven years since 1988.

He speaks Hungarian, and for the past 15 years has translated Hungarian literature into English, primarily contemporary drama. After studying for a year at the Karl Marx School of Economic Sciences, Andrew later returned on a Fulbright fellowship, translating and teaching the translation of Hungarian literature into English.

Later, he worked at the US Embassy in Budapest on a State Department fellowship. For the past ten years he has worked in the counseling field in the United States. He returned to Budapest this past September.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I first came to Hungary in 1988 and studied for a year the (then) Karl Marx School of Economic Sciences. I was a student from the University of Wisconsin. It was a very interesting year, when I arrived there was no sense of the big changes coming. 

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I lived for a year in a small town in Gujarat, India. I was 17, and loved every day I was there.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary? 
How much Hungary surprised me! I first came to Hungary on a train from Vienna that crossed the border at 2:30AM (this was 1988). There was standing room only in the train, and soldiers with guns came on board and dismantled the ceiling tiles on the train and climbed up there. They also put their hands deep into the laundry detergent people were bringing back from Vienna. It made quite an impression. I wasn't expecting to experience culture shock.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend-what must they absolutely see and do?
First show them my copy of András Török's book Budapest: A Critical Guide, then pick one or two walks to go on. The book is invaluable.

5. What is your favorite Hungarian food?
The traditional Hungarian Jewish Solet. It's comfort food, and soul food.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Peanut butter, cream cheese, milk, and Er?s Pista!

7. What is your favorite Hungarian word?
Cip?f?z? - I can't explain why.

8. What do you miss the most from home? 
Big American breakfasts out in greasy spoon diners.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue? 
If I wasn't a therapist, I'd love to sell Persian carpets.

10. What’s a job you would definitely never want? 
One in politics.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation? 
In New Orleans, believe it or not.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Los Angeles.

13 What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I played jazz, folk, and classical music as a teen. I played saxophone and clarinet. That consumed a lot of time.

14. What can’t you resist?
Hungarian cukrászdák!

15. Red wine or white?
Red, though there's quite a few excellent Tokaji furmint and hárslevel? these days that make it harder to choose.

16. Book or movie?
Movie based on a good book!

17. Morning person or night person?
Afternoon/evening.

18. Dog person or cat person? 
Cats.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda, with a place to stay in Pest, too. (And vice versa) 

20.What would you say is your personal motto?
Know Thyself