1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
Most recently I came to live here in January 2011. There as a change in management at Telenor, which created a great opportunity to come back to work here. I moved from Montenegro at short notice but since my family has connections here all worked out well, by the time I started work both my kids were in kindergarten already, so it was a smooth transition. Previously I lived here, also due to work, between 2000 and 2004.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
My first expat experience was in London for 2 years, working at the Norwegian Embassy in the commercial section where I helped companies enter the UK market. Other experience of living abroad includes crossing the Atlantic to live in Washington as part of my Uni degree program – an industrial placement. Then I worked 6 months in Oslo before working 2 years at the Norwegian Embassy in London. I started working for Telenor in 1998, and came to Hungary in 2000 to establish the of Telenor Office at Szép utca. I moved on with the company to Pakistan in 2004, where I also got married - to my Hungarian wife. Next we spent 8 months in Istanbul, an amazing place to live. After that I experienced expat life in Belgrade, Serbia, where I spent 2.5 years, and thereafter 2 years in Montenegro.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
When first came to Hungary in 1977 I felt a bit apprehensive, due mainly to certain Western perceptions of communism – which were very ‘black and white’. I remember long queues and checks at the border. I can remember seeing red stars on all the main buildings, and whilst travelling around the country we had to register everywhere we went. It seemed quitete scary for a guy who grew up in Norway, though many say those days were much safer in Hungary than it is today.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Some of the spas, and not only the ones in the tourist books – Király for example is great even though it hasn’t been renovated. I would also suggest a quick trip outside the capital to Szentendre. A visit to Visegrád is also interesting, and so depending on the time of the year I would suggest a visit there too. I recently rediscover Budapest by boat – would recommend others to take a boat tour along the Danube – which gives such a very special impressions of Budapest. Certain restaurants are a must, Barakka on Andrássy, Déryné and Tom George, all have fine food and a great atmosphere. Kyoto is a great place for sushi and it’s a family friendly place on Sundays as they have an entertainer for the kids. Lots of new wine bars are worth a visit too, DeVino and Drop Shop for example.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
I never get bored of a great gulyás – with Erős Pista which I take with me wherever I travel. For dessert, Csúsztatott palacsinta is fantastic, but quite a job to make.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Erős Pista!

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Szeretlek

8. What do you miss most from home?
Nothing, my home is where my family is.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Writer, or and an astronaut.

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

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Here in Hungary in the North-West part of Balaton.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
In Norway, up in the mountains, where it’s quiet, the air is crisp, and the stars shine brightly.

13. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
It’s often hard to resist a nice glass of wine with good friends.

14. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Lots of different music, I was big fan of Kiss, The Cure, Depeche Mode, but also listened to classical music, Prokofijev for example. Football was my main hobby, and travelling. As for a film, the Usual Suspects sticks in my mind a good movie

15. Red wine or white?
Attól függ (it depends) – I love rosé in summer.

16. Book or movie?
Could be both. A good Norwegian movie I saw recently is called Head Hunters. I do which was also a good expereince in a book filmatisation which rarely is the case. I love reading, and always have a few books on the go.

17. Morning person or night person?
Morning, but when the engine is running I can go on for quite a while.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Child poverty – particularly since I’m a father and an active parent. I really appreciate how difficult it must be for children who do not have the basics for a happy and safe life.

19. Buda or Pest side?
Buda for family, Pest for fun.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Nothing is impossible, unless otherwise proven.