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Senior British Diplomat In Budapest, Steven Dick, Dies From Covid-19

A speaker of Arabic, Dari and Hungarian, Steven joined the team of the Budapest British Embassy as its Deputy Head of Mission in November 2019. 

Before arriving in Budapest, he worked in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, covering issues such as human rights, corporate strategy and migration. 

In his free time he enjoys reading, cooking and scuba diving – but not all at the same time he told us with typical good humour.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in June 2019 and spent my first few months studying Hungarian in Pécs before a few weeks secondment to the Hungarian Government and finally starting in my role at the Embassy in late November.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes, I have lived and worked in Syria, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan; so all quite different to Hungary.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The wonderful hospitality - I’ve never felt more welcome anywhere.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Try the amazing wine - especially from Villány - and at this time of year ice skating in Városliget is also a must.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
I have a sweet tooth, so I like kürtőskalács and szilvás gombóc; though usually not together.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Blood orange juice; which is so much easier to find here than in the UK.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Megkérdőjelezhetetlenül is unquestionably the best word in Hungarian.

8. What do you miss most from home?
Other than people not very much.  The UK is only a short flight away and people are constantly visiting and bringing any necessities with them.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Tricky question – I love my job here, but if not this then maybe something more creative; pottery?

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Medicine.  I studied anatomy at university, but I knew it wasn’t the career for me.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Iceland and the Unites States.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
I have a trip to Mexico booked.

13. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
Chocolate – it just tastes too good.

14. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
The first album I ever bought was Sheryl Crow’s debut album and I still have a soft spot for folk rock.

15. Red wine or white?
White

16. Book or movie?
Book

17. Morning person or night person?
Night by choice, morning thanks to work.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Equal access to education – every child should have the chance to thrive, whether male, female rich or poor.

19. Buda or Pest side?
Pest

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Better to regret what you’ve done than regret not having done it.

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Coronavirus: Senior British Diplomat In Budapest, Steven Dick, Dies From Covid-19