Shortly after arriving to Budapest, Julie launched an art rental company, HangArts. She rents paintings and photographs from Hungarian artists to companies, hotels, restaurants and individuals. After one month, the artworks can be exchanged for something fresh.

This makes sure that companies can improve their workplace at low cost.
 

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
My partner and I moved to Budapest in April, which means we are still a bit it ‘tourist-mode’. My boyfriend received a job offer at IBM, and we were up for something new.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I have previously worked in China, after which I moved to Denmark. I have never been an expat in the proper sense of the word, but I’ve lived abroad many times.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
How open people are for new ideas. Yes, really. I launched an art rental company here, and I notice that lots of artists are interested in the idea of renting out their artwork. I expected that companies would be more wary of the idea, but I only received positive feedback so far.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
A visit to the Terror Museum, followed by a coffee at Alexandra Bookshop on Andrassy. At night, Szimpla or Instant is a must.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Stuffed peppers.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Mozzarrella and cheese for a bite at any time of the day.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Egészségedre, as it is mostly used in pleasant situations.

8. What do you miss the most from home?
Family and friends of course, but Belgian chocolate is a very close second.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I’ve had a brief taste of life at the European Parliament, and I really enjoyed the international atmosphere.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Teacher.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
This feels like a vacation: exploring a new city and meeting new people. I spent my last vacation visiting my parents and friends in my hometown in Belgium, indulging on my mothers’ cooking and lovely Belgian beer.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
I need to see some sea side, so we are visiting Croatia in a couple of weeks time.

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I am from the generation where all the girls fell in love with Leonardo Di Caprio in Titanic.

14. What can't you resist?
My boyfriend.

15. Red wine or white?
Red wine.

16. Book or movie?
Book, I really love reading.

17. Morning person or night person?
Both.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Until I started HangArts, I had never been confronted with the fact that it’s harder for women to be an entrepreneur. There are more hurdles to jump, and you get less support from your environment.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Pest is where it all happens.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
“When life hands me lemons, I make a gin and tonic”