Xpat Interview: Jean Kaszacs
- 11 Oct 2010 12:00 PM
I was born and grew up in Brussels, Belgium. I graduated at the University of Louvain in Belgium, first in Chemical Engineering then in Business Management. I spent 10 years working for the Goodyear Tire Company in several Marketing positions, starting at their European Headquarters in Luxembourg. I then got the opportunity to come to Hungary to develop Goodyear Marketing Operations in Central and Eastern Europe. I then got a 3 year assignment in Paris, France.
I started to develop my own Business Development and Marketing Consulting Company around 3 years ago, focusing on new technologies in the natural and organic fields (food, cosmetics, etc). I moved to Melbourne, Australia for a year then came back finally to Hungary. I am currently working at introducing a unique organic Australian skincare brand in Europe.
During my free time, I enjoy travelling abroad to discover new places and cultures. I also love doing sports like playing football or skiing.
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I moved first to Hungary in 1999 (for business reasons). I was supposed to stay here for a year and finally ended-up staying for 5 years!
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
So far: Luxembourg, Paris, Melbourne
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
Fantastic architecture (buildings and girls)
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Thermal bath at Szechenyi, Budapest view from the Castle district, coffee and parties in Bazilika area.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Csirke pörkölt + galuska, a bit heavy but very nice.
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Turo rudi
7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Szeretlek (also favourite in French: je t’aime, and in English : I love you)
8. What do you miss the most from home?
Belgian beer and chocolate
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I do what I always dreamt to do (business development)
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Security guard in a bank
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Budapest and Balaton
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Brasil
13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
A-team (TV), ABBA, Football
14. What can't you resist?
Hungarian girls at the Beach in the middle of the summer
15. Red wine or white?
Definitely red wine, Bordeaux please
16. Book or movie?
Both
17. Morning person or night person?
Used to be night, now rather morning (getting older I guess)
18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Poverty
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda to relax, Pest for shopping
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
“Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.” (Gandhi)