In addition to that, as a photography enthusiast, she not only incorporates photography into her business but also creates both custom-made and ready-made photo prints.

To check the prints visit: etsy.com/shop/ArminaPhotography
(All Xpatloop members can get 10% discount with the code XPATLOOP at the checkout)

When did you arrive to Hungary?

I arrived to Hungary in 2012. First I lived in Debrecen for couple of years and then moved to Budapest, due to work. After working in different organisations, currently I provide business consulting and marketing services to food/beverage and hospitality industry companies.

What surprised you most about Hungary?

You are more likely to be hit by a bike on a street than by a car.

If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

Somewhere with warm and mild climate.

What would you miss the most if you moved away from Hungary?

The people I met here and the city.

What advice would you give to a new expat in Budapest?

Even though it may seem very hard, learning the language can be one of the best ways to make the life easier in Hungary.

Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do? 

I love the view from the top of Bazilika, so it is something I would advise to check. If the weather is good, a walk on Margaret Island will be a good idea, it has so many beautiful corners. In the evening a river cruise on Danube would be a very nice, where they can enjoy a diner while admiring the iconic buildings on both sides of the river.

What is your favourite Hungarian food?

Töltött káposzta and from sweets meggyes rétes.

What is your favourite place in Hungary?

I love Budapest but if I need to choose a place outside Budapest I would choose Visegrád.

What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

Doctor - helping people, having a possibility to improve the quality of their life would be quite a fulfilling job for me.

Where did you spend your last vacation?

In Austria

Where do you hope to spend your next vacation?

I am hopping to go back to the UK as I have seen only London so far. There are so many wonderful places outside London worth visiting. Also, I would love to go back to Lisbon, as I enjoy the Portuguese food and the architecture quite a lot.

Apart of temptation what can't you resist?

A good conversation.

Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

Pollution and climate change. I hope that recent COP26 efforts will help to reduce the emissions and stop global warming from progressing further.

Red wine or white?

Probably red

Book or movie?

Both!

Buda or Pest?

I always lived in Pest but like the atmosphere of Buda quite a lot, so both!

Morning person or night person?

Definitely morning! I have been a morning person all my life.

What is  your favourite Hungarian word?

Rettenthetetlen! First of all, because it has a great meaning (means fearless, braveheart), secondly, because the first time I heard it I laughed a lot before I was able to pronounce it correctly.  

What would you say is your personal motto?

I do not have one specific motto but during the years I collected some quotes that I like, for example:
"As is a tale, so is life. Not how long it is but how good it is, is what matters." Seneca
"You've got to be before you can do and do before you can have" Zig Ziglar
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway" Eleanor Roosevelt
"Fear is temporary, regret is forever"