Subsequently, she relocated to northern Scotland to join the boarding school Gordonstoun, where she assumed leadership roles extending beyond the art department, culminating in the role of Deputy Head of Curriculum.

She holds a Masters degree in Leadership from Aberdeen university, has been an iPGCE mentor for international trainee teachers at Warwick University and currently a peer accreditor for COBIS.

Four years ago, she moved from Scotland to the warmer climes of Tokyo, where she served as Head of Secondary.

This year she relocated to Budapest where she is delighted to be leading the Secondary School at BISB.
 

1.When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here? 

I arrived in Budapest at the start of July ready start my job as Head of Secondary at BISB and a new life in Hungary. The weather this summer has been fantastic so I have been able to enjoy exploring the capital before starting work at the end of August.  

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere? 

Yes, I flew directly to Budapest from Tokyo, having worked in Japan for the last four years. 

3. What surprised you most about Hungary? 

Listening to history podcasts in preparation for my relocation has been a fascinating journey into the past, revealing the incredible diversity and depth of the culture and people. 

4. Friends are in Budapest for the weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?  

A trip to one of the amazing historic thermal baths to soak up the atmosphere and relax. 

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food? 

I am still exploring as there is so much to try but so far Sajtos pogácsa (cheese bread) and Túrógombóc (sweet cottage cheese dumplings) have been a delight. 

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator? 

Fresh tomatoes 

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word? 

‘Egészségére’ as it translates directly to the same as ‘Slàinte Mhath’ which I had grown accustomed to saying having lived in the north of Scotland for many years.  

8. What do you miss most from home?  

We had to rehome our cats when we moved from the UK and I miss them lots. To fill the void, I visited the Cat Museum in Budapest to spend some time with other felines last week! 

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue? 

With an undergraduate degree in art and design, it would have to be something creative. I have always fancied the idea of a florist as I am also an early riser. 

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

Influencer – the constant pressure to maintain a flawless image and share every detail of my life online would be too much for me. 

11. Where did you spend your last vacation? 

Albania – a tiny farmer’s cottage next to a lake in central Albania with some close friends. The quiet, dark skies and wildlife were a joy. 

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday? 

Back to family and friends in bonny Scotland but tempted to go for a short break around Lake Balaton first as I have heard so many wonderful things about it from colleagues. 

13. Apart from temptation what can't you resist? 

Haribo sours! 

14. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen? 

1980 – new wave and early electro pop – Heaven 17, Thompson Twins, the Cure and Human League were my favourite bands. Films – Cabaret, the Breakfast Club and Dead Poets Society. 

15. Red or white? 

Depends – can I also add in a good Rosé too?

16. Books or films? 

I really can’t choose and it depends on my mood. Books are so much more immersive so if I want to forget my troubles, a book wins every time. 

17. Morning person or night person? 

A morning lark since being a teenager – and increasingly not an owl. Late nights are even less of a thing these days! 

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about? 

Climate Change.

19. Buda or Pest? 

I have to say Pest as this is where I live! 

20. What would you say is your personal motto? 

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop