- This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 2 months, 3 weeks ago by
Zsófia Gebel Simó.
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August 25, 2025 at 8:54 am #3103
This thread is the best place for conversation with Ildikó!
Did you have any special takeaways from this presentation? Or do you have any questions for her? -
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August 29, 2025 at 5:39 pm #3694
Dear Steven!
Ildikó speaks really-really good Hungarian, and when she speaks, no-one can tell that she wasn’t born and raised in Hungary or surroundings. Fluent and no accent. 😊 She is also modest – she makes only small mistakes, and that also, only rarely. (You can believe me, because she is an active member in my weekly online Hungarian Speaking Club 🙂)
Dear Ildikó, your presentation was so nice and personal, your story brought me tears into my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. 💚 Ölellek! 🤗
August 27, 2025 at 11:12 am #3393Thank 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!
August 27, 2025 at 11:00 am #3385Thank you, Linda E.! I’m so thankful for that Hungarian community in South Africa. It definitely helped to shape my cultural heritage and made it easier for my dad to keep his Hungarian culture alive.
August 27, 2025 at 10:56 am #3382Thank you so much, Linda B.! I appreciate your kind words. It’s amazing to me that it seems no matter where I go there are Hungarians or those with Hungarian heritage who live there!
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This reply was modified 2 months, 4 weeks ago by
Ildikó Oravecz.
August 26, 2025 at 8:55 pm #3313You are such a talented speaker and presenter on Hungarian communities around the world and in US. The segment on New Mexico was astonishing. I lived out West for 34 years and never knew a Hungarian community there, even if only a couple families. I am interested in history and how Hungarians came to US – where and why they settled in an area. I loved your personal stories and learned so much about your travels and longer stays in Hungary. You have led a fascinating life. Thank you for sharing.
August 25, 2025 at 7:33 pm #3199I very much enjoyed your presentation. It was very concise and information and well organized. I had no idea there was a Hungarian presence in South Africa.
August 25, 2025 at 3:49 pm #3143Ildikó, your presentation was great, how were you able to live in, I presume, Budapest for five years? Did you work somewhere, go to school? Did you travel around the country? Did you have a hard time in Budapest? Did the Hungarian government let you stay for five years, from 1993-1998? How did the Communist system or the Hungarian view impact you? Is your Hungarian language better or should I say near native. Some Americans that ended up living in Hungary mainly spoke English, some attempts were taken to learn the language. There many ways to keep up with Hungarian language, culture and other subjects. I am not sure that I have any relatives in Hungary, possibly on my father’s side, but I am unaware of them, and I don’t know if they know of me. I would like to connect with you via email, mine is [email protected] I really found your journey fascinating, thank you for sharing.
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