He earned his doctorate at the University of San Francisco in International and Multicultural Education with specializations in teacher education and non-traditional language teaching methodologies for adults.

He has been teaching at Eötvös Loránd University in the American Studies program since 2002. Dr. James created the Journalism and Writing Program, which is now a BA degree minor, within the department in 2008. He is a professional travel writer and is the author of the Frommer's Travel guide "Budapest & the Best of Hungary" 7th and 8th editions. He also writes for the Nile Guide.


1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived December 14, 2001. The plan was to spend a year aboard traveling. After six other countries, it was too cold to play tourist, so we decided to stay in Budapest until springtime.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
No, but I never had the intention of being one here either.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
We had been here before in 1998, but I was surprised with positive changes in the development of the stores and restaurants.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
The Rétesvár on Castle Hill while exploring the district. They have to visit the Fine Arts Museum, Széchenyi thermals and Dohány Synagogue.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Everything that includes bacon, which is most everything.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Túró Rudi and torma, strange combo, I know.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Szívesen

8. What do you miss the most from home?
A Thanksgiving dinner that I can prepare myself with all of the traditional dishes made without compromise.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Full-time novelist

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Taxi driver. Didn't want it, had to do it, will never do it again.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
I went to Australia for five glorious weeks. If I were younger, I would consider being an ex-pat there.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
I am going to Kenya and Tanzania in December.

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
My favorite film was Billy Jack. Because of this film, I have my master's degree in Social Work.

14. What can't you resist?
My students - requests for help.

15. Red wine or white?
Neither, I am a beer person.

16. Book or movie?
I have 4,000 books in storage in the US. Can you guess which it would be?

17. Morning person or night person?
Night

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Equality for all people regardless of race, creed, color, or sexual orientation.

19. Pest or Buda side?
Pest is where it all happens, except for the Retesvar on Castle hill.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
"Think outside of the box!"