Xpat Interview: Henrik Thorsnes

  • 27 Mar 2012 12:00 PM
Xpat Interview: Henrik Thorsnes
I was born and grew up in Bergen, the second biggest city in Norway. I graduated from gymnasium in 2008 and from there I went straight to the army for one year.

After some time at the Norwegian-Russian border, I figured I wanted something else than this for my life, and I went to

Hungary and Budapest for studying since I had visit the city before. I started International Business School Budapest, and finished 2 year before moving to Germany for an internship. Luckily I am returning to Budapest in September for finishing school and continue my plan for starting a property rental company for Scandinavian students and expats.


1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in Budapest in September 2009 to start my bachelor degree at International Business School Budapest.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes, in Hamburg, Germany.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The most surprisingly for me , was that the sun is out almost everyday, completely different that my hometown.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
I love to show people the castle district, the margit island and just strolling down Danube(preferably when the sun is down). I also like to show them the amazing nightlife in Budapest.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Tölltöt Káposzta , or what ever the name of cabbage rolls with different fill.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
I do my shopping day by day, so anything can be missing from there.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Táska, since it was the first Hungarian word I learned, and it is easy to remember.

8. What do you miss the most from home?
The sea, and the food coming from it.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Working on a ship.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Any job that I would have to do repeating tasks every day.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Madonna di campiglio for skiing.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Copenhagen since this is my favorite city.

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I did little else than playing football as a teen.

14. What can't you resist?
Spending time with friends.

15. Red wine or white?
Red

16. Book or movie?
Depends, if I have a lot of time on my hands I like to watch a movie, but I also enjoy reading books on busses, trams etc.

17. Morning person or night person?
Night person, I always have more energy after 6pm than earlier on the day.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
I strongly want everyone to be able to have a job which they can feel comfortable in , and not a job were they are treated very badly.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
At this point Pest side, but I also love being at the hills at the Buda side.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Have a purpose with every single day.

  • How does this interview make you feel?