XpatLoop Interview: Stéphane Acquaviva, French Teacher in Business Schools
- 23 May 2017 12:00 PM
Stéphane Acquaviva (married, two children) was born in Paris where he spent the first part of his life. He has two Master’s degrees from La Sorbonne: in History and in French as Foreign Language. He was an History teacher in High School in Paris during a couple of years but decided to try another life in Hungary.
In Budapest, he worked as French teacher in Business Schools (I.B.S. and ESSCA) and teach French language, business French and French culture to managers for Law firms, Consulting firms, Magyar Cetelem Bank, BNP-Paribas, the Hungarian Parliamentary Commission for European Integration.
Interests: gastronomy, wines, cooking, books, Indies and Classic Music.
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in August 1999. The taste for adventure brought me in here.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I have never been expatriate before.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The Hungarian language.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
To see: The Castle and the Hero’s square / To do: a good restaurant and finish the evening in a club on Margit island or in any kind of Romkocsma in Pest
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Goose and duck liver….and anything with Túró.
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
French cheese :-)
7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Hihetetlen – (unbelievable)
8. What do you miss the most from home?
A kind of airiness in everyday life…
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Anything in relation with the world of wines or… musician in a successful band
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Working on a boat
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
In Paris
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
In Cannes
13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Band: “The Smiths”, Film: “Blade Runner”, Hobby: “Classic and electric guitar”
14. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
Salted butter caramel
15. Red wine or white?
Red
16. Book or movie?
Book
17. Morning person or night person?
Definitely night person
18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
The loss of social bonds between people living int the same place
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda for work and life…Pest for fun…
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity