Xpat Interview: Patryk Ciechocinski

  • 30 Mar 2012 12:00 PM
Xpat Interview: Patryk Ciechocinski
Patryk was born in Poland AD 1980. After finishing high school in his home city Starachowice, he moved to Poznan (Poland) to continue his education in a field of advertisement. In 1999 his dreams came true, when he moved to continue his studies in beloved polish city Krakow. "It was a real school of life, best moments of my life" - he says. "I met the greatest people in the world, whom I still consider my best friends". In that time he really realized what his priorities were and how to lead his way in life. Then there was his first fascination with photos and movies.



After five years in beautiful Krakow and graduating at the Jagiellonian University, he decided to move to Budapest. The capital of Hungary absolutely met his expectations. The city gave him the opportunity to further professional development. He lived and worked in 12th district, that forever will stay in his heart.

After working for a few years in Telemedia InteracTV as a TV show director, he decided to move to Australia. The far continent amazed him, however he longed for old Europe and friends. He finished film making courses, left his job in Channel 9, Melbourne and he moved to Warsaw, Poland where he worked in Superstacja news television as a TV director.

The pictures of astonishing australian beaches however will drift back very often in his memories. He enjoys life in Poland but echo of 7 years spent in Budapest won't let him forget all those beautiful moments in the capital of Hungary. He decides to move back. Still continuing his passion for photography, this time he is offered a job in a corporation. He gives it a shot.

Mostly thanks to great people he worked with he managed to spend over 3 years as a project manager for HP. One call can change your life. One beautiful morning he receives a call from an old friend and in 10 days he starts a job as a TV programming consultant in Nairobi, Kenya. Unexpectedly, this is where he meets the love of his life Wambui. As of now, still in Kenya they are taking care of their 5 month old daughter Malina. "Maybe it's time to show the old continent to my two beauties and build our family life over there? Maybe one day you can meet me at the fountain at the Kiralyhago square."


1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?

I came to Hungary right after I finished my studies back home in Poland. I had visited the place few times before and I totally felt in love with the country. what exactly brought me there? well, I think a need of change and desire of adventure :)

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I don't think I can count few months stay in Australia as being an expat, but dam I enjoyed it. In this particular moment I am an expat living in Kenya, Nairobi. I came here at the end of 2010.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
Coming to Hungary I knew the country pretty well, however the easygoing nature of hungarians is something I truly admire.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
There is no weekend in Budapest without visiting the Szechenyi Furdo. Dinner in Arany Szarvas and a nice pub tour in Pest.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
I am a big fan of gulash, especially the one cooked in bagracs in a company of good friends.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
I am a fanatic of cheese, french camembert is the best friend of my fridge.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
I really like expressing myself in hungarian while being in Hungary of course. I don't really have any favorite words.

8. What do you miss the most from home?
Living in Hungary I really missed polish sausages and good quality beers.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I am really satisfied with the path I chose. I love cooking, owning a little restaurant somewhere at the coast in Europe would suit me I believe.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
There is no job I would say I will never do.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Mombasa, Kenya.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Bulgaria with best friends.

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I listent a lot to the polish rock music, watching a lot of movies.

14. What can't you resist?
The sea

15. Red wine or white?
Definitely red dry.

16. Book or movie?
Rather a movie

17. Morning person or night person?
As a photography freak I love waking up in the morning heading for a nice shot. I love night too.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Thousands of kids dying weekly in Africa starving while people in Europe keep buying another useless things.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Definitely Buda side.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
I don't have any.

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