Interview 2: Oliver Strommer, British Business Centre Manager

  • 21 Apr 2018 4:00 PM
Interview 2: Oliver Strommer, British Business Centre Manager
1. What's been happening at work and at home since your first Xpat Interview? ​​​​​​​

Click here to read the first interview

Well quite a bit of change since we last spoke....the British business centre has grown considerably in terms of business volume and with new faces added to the team, so now entering our 5th year the business centre has managed to grow from strength to strength. On the home front not much to be honest, happily living and enjoying the smaller comforts of life rather than focusing on the bigger ones.

2. On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you with your life in Hungary, and why?
I would say 9, but then again that's no surprise seeing I am dual citizen....I think all round, life in Hungary is very positive with a very busy social scene that rivals any leading worldwide city these days with lots to do in our capital, eating out is a culinary pleasure and of course regionally the Balaton especially in the summertime is a superb place to hang out.

3. What's the best party you've been to while in Hungary, and why?
I think I have been to quite a few good parties in my time in Hungary....but I am a classics man and a good házibuli usually comes out on top, although preferably the ones organised on the spontaneous hop.

4. What's your favourite drink?
I have to admit I am not a heavy drinker, but so far as alcohol is concerned I go for more the lighter beverages in refined quantities, so a cider or a spritzer is my preferred tipple.

5. What hidden talents do you have?
Yet to find that as its well hidden, but I have been told my singing is not bad on occasion....although I need more than a few of the above beverages to get me out on stage :)

6. What was the most interesting travel trip you have ever taken?
Well probably Rome nearly 20 years ago for a number of reasons, but the most important is that a friend of mine provided on-going historical commentary around the beautiful town which was very useful not to mention cultured. To put it mildly in Rome there is genuinely a story of culture on every street corner so certainly the most breath-taking travel trip that I ever took.

7. If you were given a wish that could come true, what would you ask for?
I would certainly like to have my dad back at least for an evening...to watch a game, have a cuppa and have a good old natter with my old man.

8. What's the last book you read, and movie you watched?
The last book I read was All the lights you cannot see by Anthony Doerr ...... and the last movie I watched was Sunday night on M2 called Hereafter directed by Clint Eastwood....both highly recommended!

9. If someone wrote a biography about you, what would the title be?
Hmmm toughie....nice guy to a point?!

10. What is the perfect pizza toppings combination for you?
Some hot, something spicy and meat...so lets say pepperoni, peppers and salami.

11. If you could trade places with any other person for a week, real or fictional, with whom would it be?
A top class footballer of the quality of Messi or the manager of a club like Real Madrid....must be an eye opener to see what the expectations are and how you meet those either as a player or as a manager as every week you need to perform.

12. On a scale of 1 to 10 how unusual are you, and why?
I would not say I am unusual at all... perhaps some people may brand me as boring but that's how I like it so 2.

13. What's the best website you've ever visited, and why?
BBC... I read it everyday and is the only news channel I fully trust especially sports wise :)

14. Who do you admire the most, and why?
To be honest it used to be my dad whilst he was with us... for raising 6 kids and having encyclopedia brain power that I could only dream about. Thank God for Google, since in my case :)

15. What do you like best and least about living in Hungary?
The best is the weather....the worst is the footie!

16. What has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
Probably my 24 year old son....hopefully he can leave a reasonable life footprint thanks to my parenting input :)

17. If you won USD 30 million, what would you do with the money?
Hmmm well I would certainly blow quite a bit of it on a life of debotury, but I am sure I would be sensible enough to leave some for family and friends too.

18. If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
This is the toughest question of the interview....lets say the rolling stones - you can't always get what you want :)

19. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
I have lived all my life in 2 cities namely London and Budapest, so as a new challenge I would probably opt for the other side of the world...perhaps New Zealand.

20. In ten years from now what will you be doing?
I have no idea but I hope ex-pat loop will allow me a 10 year anniversary interview :)

  • How does this interview make you feel?