I grew up on the sunny Isle of Wight, spending a lot of time out and about or playing rugby. When I was 19, I was playing for Petersfield RFC, that year we reached the colts national cup semi-finals to lose to London Welsh RFC, coincidentally I would be playing for them the next season.

During this time I was studying Biological Sciences at the University of Plymouth. At Plymouth I was part of the  1st Plymouth side to win our varsity against the University of St Mark and St John, while also captaining the 2nd side the previous year. Once I graduated from Plymouth, I went to University of Kent, Canterbury to complete an MSc-R in microbiology; graduating 2010. 

In 2010, I enrolled in the Graduate Teacher Programme with Christchurch Canterbury University and learnt my trade at Pent Valley Community College. I then moved onto Sittingbourne Community College and then Westlands School, where I worked for 7 years.

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

I moved over in August 2019, wanting to experience teaching abroad.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?

Does the Isle of Wight count? If not, no.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?

Just the extremes in weather, it seems that there really isn't much of a spring or autumn.

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

Lukacs baths, Frici Papa and Davy Byrnes. I love the view from Magaret bridge in the evening looking down the Danube. The thing that I love about Budapest is that there is so much to do.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?

You can get the meanest gulyás from Kecskemét rugby club.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?

Cheese

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?

My favourite Hungarian phrase is "Nem kolbászból van a kerítés"

8. What do you miss most from home?

The volume of rugby on TV.

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

Rugby professional. I had a chance when I was 18, but didn't make enough of the right choices to make the most of my oppotunity.

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

I can't think of any, but "I always play to my strengths".

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?

Cardiff, I went with my fiancé to watch Wales Vs Ireland for the 6 nations.

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

Kazakhstan

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

Making silly jokes at any opportunity.

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

Band- the prodigy. Film- Interstellar. Hobby- sports but mainly rugby.

15. Red or white?

White

16. Books or films?

Films

17. Morning person or night person?

Either. Due to teaching my body clock rarely allows me to sleep in past 7am. But I love my evenings.

18. Buda or Pest?

Pest

19. What would you say is your personal motto? 

Do not go gentle into that good night.