Thank you so much for your interest, Steven! I’d be glad to connect with you by email—you’ll hear from me later today—and I’ll go ahead and answer a few of your questions here as well.
I lived in Budapest for five years as part of a faith-based international organization, where I taught English and was also involved in a local church community. During that time, I not only traveled throughout Hungary but also had the chance to explore much of Europe—including Russia, Turkey, and Israel. I loved living in Budapest, and I especially loved learning to navigate the excellent public transportation system.
I was fortunate to have cousins in Budapest who were a tremendous support, and I also visited relatives in northern Hungary regularly. Deepening those family connections was one of the most meaningful aspects of my time there. Beyond family, I built many friendships that remain strong to this day.
As for the language, I usually say I speak Hungarian fluently but not perfectly. Keeping it active in my daily life takes intentional effort, but I do my best to practice and stay connected with it. I am grateful for the Hungarian Living community because it has excellent resources for keeping up my language!