/Budapest-Family-Matters-Issue-1 by the British International School, Shanghai

IB: The Best of both worlds Page 17

Health The obesity problem travel A Northern Territory adventure ask the experts Living Local education Choosing the right school

magazine

FAMILY MATTERS

ISSUE 1

helping others to be the best they can be

CONTACT admissions@bisb.hu TO ARRANGE A VISIT TO OUR SCHOOL OR TO ORDER OUR PROSPECTUS

Senseo, now also available cubed. www.senseo.com/quadrante

FAMILY MATTERS

ISSUE 1

IB: The BesT of BoTh worlds Page 17

health The obesity problem travel A Northern Territory adventure ask the experts Going native education Choosing the right school

Family Matters Issue 1 Contributions welcome from all of the Budapest community. Please contact marketing@bisb.hu for more information.

FAMILY MATTERS

MAGAZINE

magazine

FAMILY MATTERS

CONTENTS

EDITOR’S WORD N

ord Anglia Education and The British International School Budapest would like to warmly welcome you to our first Budapest edition of Family Matters Magazine. In conjunction with our Essentials Guide, the Family Matters project began a little more than a year ago with the intention of providing expat families with a trusted resource that would help them in gaining a better understanding of the city they were living in, or about to relocate to. Our years of experience highlighted the fact that the

process of relocating to a foreign land and adjusting to expat life can be daunting, both before departure and after arrival. In recognition of this, we launched the project, which at the time seemed a lofty goal. What we found, however, was a well spring of support from the expatriate community in both Shanghai and Beijing that made the endeavour a labour of love rather than a trial. The warm and enthusiastic reception we received in China paved the way for the expansion of the project to all of Nord Anglia’s Schools worldwide, thus allowing

us to provide what we now see as an essential community service. Helping families better understand the issues they will face during their time abroad is something we have always done, but now we are proud to be able to offer it to the expatriate community as a whole, for the benefit of all. We hope you enjoy our first issue and find it useful. § Yours truly The Family Matters Team

10 22 48 Making an educated choice

Choosing the Right school

Offshore investing and the advantAges of expatriate living

John Hart explains the differences between the British and American curricula

Kevin Foyle offers his insight into the importance and methodology of choosing the best school for your child

Wade Dawson reveals some of the enourmous advantages of becoming an expat

CONTENTS

FAMILY MATTERS

IB: The Best of Both Worlds Rachel Batty explores the benefits of one of the world’s most prestigious degrees

52 60 72 76 living local

Third Culture kids

Expat stress and quality mental healthcare

Kakadu: A Northern Territory adventure

Move One Relocations reveals some helpful advice for expats moving to Budapest

Megan Little provides a window into the life of third culture kids

Dr Maurice Preter, MD delves into the issue of expat stress and offers some valuable insight

Ride along on a family tour of Australia’s incredible natural wonder – Kakadu National Park

essentials guide

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Photo: Conscious Image

COMMENT

FAMILY MATTERS

COMMENT The paradox of modern times

When the going gets tough...

Is technology isolating us from our friends and family?

Some practical advice for ensuring long-term relationship success

e find ourselves suddenly in a new world, where communication is instant, and perhaps instantly gratifying. With the Internet, we never need be alone. Yet rarely is anything an unalloyed good. This is a technology that can bring out the worst in people, or stop those who need to make an effort to interact with others – something everyone needs to do for the sake of their mental health – from doing so. People who are shy and reticent in the real world log on and immerse themselves in chat to vent their frustration. They assume new identities and a new life, sitting in front of their computer for hours at a stretch. This can cause marital problems and an increased likelihood of divorce. Internet surfing, as most of us know by now, can also become an addiction. Hours and hours are spent online, at a remove from the real world, whether gaming or chatting. So what’s wrong with this? Surely online we can communicate with real people, find out what’s going on in the world, find friends who share unusual hobbies, make arrangements to meet in real life? All this is true. The worry about the Internet, as with other forms of technology, is that there are those who don’t use it wisely, those who use it as an alternative to human interaction rather than a way to live life more fully. Once the telephone appeared, it got easier to communicate by voice rather than face-to-face. Now we can ‘talk’ to our heart’s content without ever seeing another human being (on the screen doesn’t count). This is incredibly convenient for most of us, but leads to a social cul-de-sac for some. So are people less outgoing and sociable than they used to be? Even movies and concerts can be

downloaded on demand, reducing the need to go out. In fact, you can even work from home without showing your face in an office. Everything you need to buy can be ordered online or by telephone. Even degrees can be obtained sitting at home. There’s no need to attend lectures and classes in universities. There’s no need to stay in a college dormitory with new friends. The computer has replaced the TV as the incubator of couch potatoes, with people – most problematically children – spending hours in darkened rooms inside of going out and getting exercise. Let’s hope the advent of Wii and other full-body gaming consoles at least leads to recluses in better shape! Some years back, there was this man who named himself DotComGuy. He stayed inside a room for an entire month with just a computer and a broadband connection. Everything he needed or wanted to do came to him through the Internet. Publicity and encouragement were given to him as if he were doing a great job. Was he a pioneer or a harbinger of a worrying future? We are social animals, and we need the company of others for happiness. Modern technology is a boon in many ways, but is this form of progress undermining our potential for happiness? Are we creating hermits? There may be a day, sooner than we think, when no one needs to leave their home. Even marriages are already being webcast, so that relatives can celebrate the union online without needing to physically make the journey to the wedding. What more can they think of? Enjoy the Internet. Marvel at what man has created. But don’t forget to go outside and make a new friend in the real world from time to time. §

elationships with others are vital to us all. Relationships with parents, siblings, friends and significant others can bring joy and added significance to our lives. It’s often through intimate relationships that our deepest needs are met. It’s thus no wonder that we find ourselves preoccupied when we fear the loss of such relationships. Whatever your age and experience, a close relationship brings new and demanding challenges. Being able to handle conflict and deal with differences is important in maintaining healthy relationships, and everyone needs assistance at some time to help them deal with problems or difficulties in a relationship. All couples experience problems in one form or another – it’s part of sharing your life with another human being. The difference between a healthy relationship that works and one that doesn’t is how well couples deal with the challenges and problems they face in their life together. If you want to have a healthy relationship, follow these simple guidelines. • Don’t expect anyone to be responsible for your happiness. Too often, relationships fail because someone is unhappy and blames their partner for making them feel that way. Make yourself happy first, and then share it. • Forgive one another. Forgiveness means ending your anger or resentment. It takes patience, honesty and respect. When freely given in a relationship, forgiveness is powerful. • Don’t do anything for your partner with an expectation of reciprocation. Do things for them because you want to, and don’t hold your good deeds over

their head at a later date. Keeping score in a relationship never works. • Be responsible. If you’ve been rude to your partner, own up to it and try to do things differently next time. If you’re unhappy in your relationship, make an effort to create a better relationship yourself rather than try to change your partner. • Approach your relationship as a learning experience. We’re attracted to a partner from whom we can learn, and sometimes the lesson is to let go of a relationship that no longer serves us. A truly healthy relationship will have two partners interested in learning and expanding a relationship so that it continues to improve. • Appreciate yourself and your partner. In the midst of an argument, it can be difficult to find something to appreciate. Start by generating appreciation in moments of non-stress, so that when you need to do it during a stressful conversation it’s easier. One definition of appreciation is to be sensitively aware; tell your beloved that you love them, and that you don’t want to argue but to talk and make things better. Research has shown that people in supportive, loving relationships are more likely to feel satisfied with their lives and less likely to have mental or physical problems or to do things that are bad for their health. People in supportive, loving relationships help each other practically as well as emotionally. Supportive partners share the good times and help each other through the tough ones. Talking and listening are probably the most important skills in a relationship. There’ll always be tensions and disagreements, but if you can communicate well, you can overcome almost any problem. §

PUBLISHER

The British International School admissions@bisb.hu

CHieF EDITOR

Travis Murray editor@bisshanghai.com

ART DIRECTOR

Travis Murray editor@bisshanghai.com

COPY EDITOR

Aelred Doyle aelred@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTORS John Hart john.hart@bisb.hu

Rachel Batty rachel.batty@bisb.hu William Lower williamlower@williamlower.com Kevin Foyle k-foyle@bisspuxi.com Wade Dawson wade.d@austenmorris.com

ADVERTISING

Alexandra Fekete alexandra.fekete@bisb.hu

CONTACT

helping others to be the best they can be Education and learning have always been our focus and our area of expertise. Our people and the people we work with all have a good understanding of what this means to us. We aim to provide students with the opportunity to be the best they can be.

www.nordanglia.com/budapest

The British International School Budapest Kiscelli köz 17 1037 Budapest Hungary Tel: 00 36 1 200 9971 Fax: 00 36 1 200 9969 Entire contents © 2011 by Family Matters Magazine unless otherwise noted on specific articles

MAGAZINE

FAMILY MATTERS

FeatureD Contributors

FAMILY MATTERS

FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS John Hart

uch acclaimed by Ofsted and with over 40 years of experience in teaching and secondary leadership, John came to Budapest from the United Kingdom. He has a BA degree in English, an MA Head of Secondary degree in Education Management and is also a qualified Ofsted The British International School inspector. Most of John’s experience comes from the UK, where, Budapest, Hungary through the years, he has been deeply involved with the UK government’s development and enhancement of the national curriculum. Previous schools he has led have been recipients of the prestigious National Achievement Award and the National 21st Century Learning Alliance Schools Award. He has worked with the Gulbenkian Foundation and other bodies to promote and enhance arts education, and has recently been a headteacher consultant for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. Most recently, John has completed consultancy work in Nord Anglia schools in China and Abu Dhabi developing the secondary and IB programmes. So far John is very much enjoying Budapest, although he finds the language exceptionally difficult to follow.

Rachel Batty

fter graduating from the University of Nottingham and completing a PGCE, Rachel taught French and German at Trent College for 8 years, where she also coached hockey and was IB Coordinator housemistress in a boarding house. She left to travel to Japan, where The British International School she taught English to students aged between 5 and 85. She then Budapest, Hungary spent five months travelling in Thailand, Vietnam, China and Tibet, trekking to Everest Base Camp and the Holy Mountains of China before returning to the UK on the TransSiberian Railway. She worked for four years at the Alice Smith School in Malaysia and continued to travel extensively in Southeast Asia. In 2003, Rachel took up the post of MFL Coordinator here in Budapest. Four years ago she became the IB Coordinator at the school and recently was made Deputy Head of Secondary. In her free time, Rachel enjoys walking, reading, good food and drink and the company of friends.

Kevin Foyle

evin Foyle has fifteen years experience in school leadership. After a brief period playing professional cricket in the UK, he began his teaching career at Winchester College, one of the UK’s leading Principal independent schools, where he taught history and politics. He was The British International School then appointed to be Headmaster of Norman Court Preparatory Shanghai, Puxi Campus School in 1995. He was a member of the Council of the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools from 2004-2007. In 2007, he joined Nord Anglia Education when he was appointed the founding Principal of The British International School Shanghai, Nanxiang. At the beginning of 2009 he moved with his wife and two children to take up the position of Principal at The British International School Shanghai, Puxi Campus. The fusion of cultures and nationalities inherent in international education and all that this brings to students’ learning experiences inspires him every day. He enjoys all manner of sports and music and, when time permits, can be found out and about exploring the historic districts of Shanghai.

Marion Merrick

Marion Merrick came to Budapest 29 years ago (“for a year”) when there were just eight British people living in the still communist country. She taught in such places as state farms, university departments, factories, ESL Teacher the Prime Minister’s office and the Gundel Restaurant. Marion has also The British International School made language recordings, film voice-overs and worked as a translator Budapest, Hungary and interpreter. She is the author of two books about life in Hungary, both pre- and post-communist, Now You See It, Now You Don’t and House of Cards, in addition to co-authoring books on English language and grammar. Marion and her husband Paul (who teaches at the Liszt Music Academy) have two children who completed their entire schooling in the Hungarian system, and who have both just graduated in Law from London University. Marion attended Sheffield and Reading universities and worked as a teacher before coming to Hungary. She has been working at BISB for the last twelve years.

Professor Deborah Eyre

rofessor Deborah Eyre is Education Director at Nord Anglia Education, responsible for the Company’s education strategy. Professor Eyre is internationally recognised for her work on school reform and gifted education and currently works across the world on Education Director education policy and system design for high performance. A leading Nord Anglia Education researcher into teaching and learning for high performing students and the former Director of the UK government’s National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY), she is a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University and also holds academic positions in a variety of universities in the UK and internationally. A former teacher and academic, she has written many books and articles and worked directly with teachers and parents in many countries. She has served as a Board Member of the UK Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) and the National College for School Leadership (NCSL). A well-known international speaker and widely published author, she is interested in all aspects of education and contributes regularly to educational debates.

FAMILY MATTERS

EDUCATION

Making an educated choice Understanding the British and American curricula By John Hart Head of Secondary The British International School Budapest and Mike Embley Principal The British School Beijing

ny comparison of the two systems must start with the statement that one is not comparing like with like. The US doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a single educational system in the sense that England does. American schools do, however, have a number of accreditation bodies, who ensure that they have certain standards and fundamentals in common. US schools are also much more free to respond to the requirements, or indeed demands, of the local population. This means that special interest groups can have at times a significant effect on teaching requirements and the curriculum in those schools. This might lead to certain subjects, such as Biology, having additional strictures on what can and cannot be taught in schools. Schools in England, on the other hand, follow a single standard National Curriculum.

EDUCATION Teachers in both systems have some degree of personal freedom to develop their own teaching style within the structure of the particular curriculum that they follow. The English National Curriculum specifies in some considerable detail the educational milestones that children should reach on a year-by-year basis as they progress through their school life. Children are regularly assessed in detail by teachers, who use a standardised set of criteria to assign levels to their progress. Nationally, standardised tests are also employed, which give a very strong indication of how well a child is doing compared to national standards. In the US the relatively recent introduction of the No Child Left Behind act has also introduced compulsory standardised testing in the majority of schools. The act was brought in to address America’s relatively poor performance compared to other developed countries in terms of the academic standards of its students.

International schools which follow the English National Curriculum use the same standardised testing regime and criteria as schools in England. This allows, for example, a British international school to compare and benchmark itself with the very best schools in the UK and to ensure that its standards are set at that level. Each child is assessed and set targets that are achievable for them. It’s important to note that schools are tasked with not only ensuring the progress of the very able, but also of those whose abilities are not at the top of the range. A student may not excel in national terms in all areas of the curriculum but it is important that the schools ensures that each student does as well as they can and is challenged to progress at a rate over and above that they might achieve at an ‘average’ school. These targets are sometimes referred to as Golden Targets and are often used as criteria for parents to judge the ‘value added’ by their school. ‘Value added’ refers to the progress that students in each school make over and above the

FAMILY MATTERS

Any comparison of the two systems must start with the statement that one is not comparing like with like

”

FAMILY MATTERS

EDUCATION

average progress that a child would be expected to make, and is an important element in school evaluation in the UK. In the US, students are compared using a variety of different standards throughout elementary school and high school. These vary from essentially IQ-based tests to tests which track progress through the curriculum based on tests of recall or understanding. The political landscape of the US is of course more varied than that of the UK, and this has inarguably had an effect on the way in which testing is viewed. International schools following a broadly USbased curriculum will generally choose one of the larger schools accreditation bodies. These are based in different regions of the US and have also broadened their responsibilities to include some overseas US schools. These bodies include WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) and SACS (Southern Association of Schools and Colleges), but there are others. They try to ensure that schools meet the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) targets specified in the NCLB act. Schooling in the US generally begins at the age of around 5 or 6 years old. The initial focus in kindergarten is on play-based activities, with a transition to more formal structured learning occurring gradually as the child progresses through school. In many ways this is mirrored

in the British system. Unlike in many areas of the US, however, a full system is in place for early years education. The Early Years/ Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is centred on developing all aspects of a very young child, both social and academic. It monitors and assesses key developmental milestones. Parental communication is heavily emphasised in the EYFS. Play is of course emphasised in the playbased learning sections of the curriculum, as are areas of continuous provision such as outdoor play, water play, sand play, arts activities and books. Even before children can read itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to have books around so that they begin to develop habits which will lead to a lifelong love of learning. Moving into primary school, the key difference might be seen to be one of approach. The core areas of teaching in fact vary little. It is arguably the case that the British system is slightly more advanced in terms of maths and literacy, but in truth the variation between students is higher than that between the two systems. There is also a somewhat wider focus in the British system, contrasted with a more national focus in the US. However, again the variation between teachers is wider than that laid down in the curriculum, with some US teachers considering it their duty to promote a wider world view where they are allowed to do so. One key area, though, is that of tradition. Many British schools still have uniforms and an explicit emphasis on teaching

It is arguably the case that the British system is slightly more advanced in terms of maths and literacy, but in truth the variation between students is higher than that between the two systems

EDUCATION

FAMILY MATTERS

The key difference will always be one of approach. A modern forwardlooking system aiming to maintain some traditional values, or a highly varied stateby-state system looking to satisfy the needs of a very varied community while maintaining a liberal tradition

good manners and social skills. Both systems, of course, aim to combat bullying and other social ills, but in general it would be fair to say that many US schools from primary upwards are a little more free or informal than their British counterparts. Of course this is neither good nor bad. Many parents may consider the teaching of good manners rather old-fashioned, or school uniforms a restriction of children’s freedom of expression. The British headteacher would reply that uniforms make for a family atmosphere and feeling of community, and reduce fashion pressure on both children and parents. There is no right answer to this issue, of course, and neither system can be said to be superior. In secondary school (high school) the differences become more pronounced. Here

by most standards the average British child is indeed one year more advanced in mathematics and language than their US counterpart (based on national average statistics). The differences in approach become even more pronounced, as schools across the US have a very different and more liberal approach than that of schools in the UK. General standards in any good school in either the US or the UK will not vary hugely. The UK primary and early years system has proven to be highly successful in nurturing young minds, but aspects of the US middle school system are also being developed strongly. Both systems feature a strong emphasis on ICT skills, but the UK system is perhaps a little more outward looking. The key difference will always be one

John Hart

”

of approach. A modern forward-looking system aiming to maintain some traditional values, or a highly varied state-by-state system looking to satisfy the needs of a very varied community while maintaining a liberal tradition; in the end, it’s up to parents and students to choose the one best suited to them. §

uch acclaimed by Ofsted and with over 40 years of experience in teaching and secondary leadership, John came to Budapest from the United Kingdom. He has a BA degree in English, an MA Head of Secondary degree in Education Management and is also a qualified Ofsted The British International School, inspector. Most of John’s experience comes from the UK, where, Budapest, Hungary through the years, he has been deeply involved with the UK government’s development and enhancement of the national curriculum. Previous schools he has led have been recipients of the prestigious National Achievement Award and the National 21st Century Learning Alliance Schools Award. He has worked with the Gulbenkian Foundation and other bodies to promote and enhance arts education, and has recently been a headteacher consultant for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. Most recently, John has completed consultancy work in Nord Anglia schools in China and Abu Dhabi developing the secondary and IB programmes. So far John is very much enjoying Budapest, although he finds the language exceptionally difficult to follow.

FAMILY MATTERS

EDUCATION

helping others to be the best they can be

WWW.NORDANGLIA.COM/BUDAPEST

EDUCATION

ducation and learning have always been our focus and our area of expertise. Our people and the people we work with all have a good understanding of what this means to us. We aim to provide students with the opportunity to be the best they can be. HELPING We do everything to support people and be useful to them, always keeping their best interests at heart. OTHERS Our communities: students, parents, policy makers, the societies in which we live and, of course, our own people. Our work reaches all of them. THRIVE To grow. To flourish. To learn. To be inspired. To stretch yourself further than you, or anyone else, thought possible. To experience more. To keep going, onwards and upwards, closer and closer to your aims and dreams.

CONTACT ADMISSIONS@BISB.HU TO ARRANGE A VISIT TO OUR SCHOOL OR TO ORDER A SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

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IB EDUCATION

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The best of both worlds By Rachel Batty IB Coordinator The British International School Budapest and Andrew Joy IB Coordinator The British International School Shanghai

n a diverse and multicultural city like Budapest, we are always very aware that every student at an international school has their own unique set of needs and aspirations. However, when it comes to selecting a post-16 course, I believe that there are two fundamental requirements which are common to everyone.

First, it is essential that we offer a course which results in qualifications which allow every student to progress to the next phase in their education or career. The International Baccalaureate Diploma is unique in that it offers a truly international qualification which is not tied to any particular national system, leading to recognition by universities from all over the world.

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We are very conscious that when students have completed their secondary schooling at The British International School, they must be ready to face the challenges of independent study at university or college, often living alone for the first time in their lives

”

ith over 775,000 students in 138 countries, the IB is expanding rapidly and is seen by many institutions as the best pre-university course around. A strong IB Diploma can let students gain admission to one of the best universities in the world.

for the first time in their lives. Merely getting a student to a good university is not enough. The student needs to have the academic background and the study skills to enable them to thrive in that environment and then go on to build a successful career.

Even more important, though, is that we help students to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes that will lead to a successful life. We are very conscious that when students have completed their secondary schooling at The British International School Budapest, they must be ready to face the challenges of independent study at university or college, often living alone

In the International Baccalaureate Mission Statement, a stated aim is to “develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect”. This is in line with our own mission statement, in which The British International School Budapest is described as “an environment

of respect, intercultural understanding and integrity; a community where everyone feels involved, valued and successful; a place where individuals make a difference”. Certainly, the formidable combination of the top quality teaching and facilities at BISB and the highly regarded IB course is an excellent preparation for higher education. Every IB Diploma student studies six different subjects, which must include courses in language and literature, a second language, a social science, a natural science and Mathematics. They are also strongly encouraged to study one of the arts. This breadth of study helps to develop the sort

EDUCATION

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The net result of a process which can take a whole year and several drafts and redrafts is a piece of work which is of greater quality and depth than anything they have ever done before

of well-rounded education which is demanded by our increasingly cosmopolitan globalised society. BISB offers an outstanding selection of subject choices. All IB subjects incorporate a coursework element, ensuring that a significant part of the assessment is based on applying the knowledge learned in class. The science courses, for example, are designed to provide a balance between understanding theory and practical experimentation. In subjects such as Visual Arts, the entire syllabus is coursework-based, meaning that learners are actually continuously creating art as well as studying it.

â&#x20AC;?

However, what particularly distinguishes the IB Diploma from other post-16 courses are three unique elements, all of which are geared towards developing the skills which will bring success in higher education and in later life. These are the Extended Essay, the Theory of Knowledge course and the Creativity, Action, Service programme.

our experienced teaching staff. Selecting one of their six subjects, they form a thesis question in a topic of their choice before embarking on extensive research. The net result of a process which can take a whole year and several drafts and redrafts is a piece of work which is of greater quality and depth than anything they have ever done before.

Students will find that in university there is an increased focus on producing work which is well-researched and written to a high academic standard. Working on the 4,000-word Extended Essay allows them to develop some of those skills under the expert supervision of one of

The Theory of Knowledge course helps students in developing their analytical and critical thinking skills. Combining a philosophical approach with a more practical look at how knowledge is obtained in contrasting academic disciplines, it encourages rigorous thinking

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School Life

the british international school Budapest, Hungary

HELPING OTHERS THRIVE

admissions@bisb.hu

www.nordanglia.com/budapest

EDUCATION

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The emphasis on independent inquiry and the demanding workload provide ideal preparation for higher education and promote attitudes that will stand students in good stead throughout their lives

â&#x20AC;?

processes as well as an understanding of different perspectives. Part of the assessment is by oral presentation, which develops important public speaking skills. The third of these special elements of the IB is the Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) programme, which aims to help students realise their potential to become leaders and organisers, as well as to establish their position as a contributing member of a caring community. It is a practical course which takes place outside the classroom and involves such varied activities as sport, drama, art, creative skills and community service. IB students take ownership of this process by initiating projects of their own and by reflecting on their own progress throughout.

Rachel Batty

CAS projects have produced some memorable moments. Within the Creativity component, CAS students have organised and compered a school talent show and our IB dinner parties become more creative and ambitious every year. There have been some unforgettable performances in music and drama, while other students have also made essential contributions to productions by working backstage on props and lighting. The Action part of the CAS programme has opened up opportunities to learn new sports such as canoeing, rock climbing and ice-skating, as well as take part in organised cycling trips and hikes. In the area of Service, links have been established with a number of charities, both locally and internationally. Our students have been involved in the practical work of organisations such as

Wonderlamp, Habitat for Humanity and the school-building project in Senegal and have also raised substantial sums of money for these charitable causes. All in all, the International Baccalaureate Diploma provides a coherent, yet varied, educational experience. The emphasis on independent inquiry and the demanding workload provide ideal preparation for higher education and promote attitudes that will stand students in good stead throughout their lives. Â§

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School Life

C hoosing the Right School P

arents often ask me what to look for in a new school. Helping parents to select a public school in the British independent education sector was an important part of my role as a Preparatory School Head in the UK. Parents needed to choose from a dizzying array of single sex and co-educational options, from the highly academic Winchester College to a highquality all-rounder like Millfield School.

By Kevin Foyle Principal The British International School Shanghai

School Life

FAMILY MATTERS

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

EDUCATION

Schools will always wish to portray themselves in the most favourable light and will make sure that any statistics they publish support this. Beware those schools who market negatively against competitor schools. It usually tells you more about them than the competitor school!

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n the international circuit it’s also a complex and potentially difficult process, but at least in most cases you don’t have to decide between single sex and coeducational (boys and girls together), as most international schools are the latter. The decisionmaking process is further simplified if you’re looking for a particular national curriculum or national system of education. In Budapest, as in most parts of the globe, the British and American systems are most prevalent, but many other systems are represented, as well as international options like the International Baccalaureate. You should of course try to gather as much information as you can, both directly from schools and from independent sources (such as websites like www.xpatloop.com). Personal recommendations are best of all. Most schools will be happy to put you in touch with current parents from your home country to give you an insider’s view of the school and its performance. But be aware that the hard data available to you may be misleading. Mark Twain was, I believe, correct in stating that we should be wary of

“lies, damned lies and statistics”. Schools will always wish to portray themselves in the most favourable light and will make sure that any statistics they publish support this. Hard data from education authorities and governments should also be treated with care. For example, in the UK all state schools and secondary independent (fee-paying schools) are listed each year in school league tables published in national newspapers. Each year the top ten is dominated by highly selective, and therefore highly academic, schools. Having taught for eight years at Winchester College, arguably the most academic school in the UK’s independent sector, I can vouch for the outstanding levels of academic performance at such schools. What is not measured by such tables, which are based solely on pupils’ exam results, is the value added by the school. What was the starting level of the pupils, and how does that compare with their final results? Many argue that this is a far better measure of a pupil’s progress, and indeed a school’s success. Furthermore, these tables do not seek to measure a school’s all-round contribution to a child’s education,

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which is best seen in the atmosphere around the school, the general behaviour of the pupils and the variety of activities they enjoy. It is often (and I believe rightly) said that the pupils are the best testimony to a school’s success, which makes visiting a school and meeting them an important part of the process. A school’s facilities can also be used to seduce prospective parents, and can be very influential in the decision-making process. However, it does not necessarily follow that a school with outstanding facilities is of high overall quality. Facilities are of course important, and most good international schools boast excellent extracurricular facilities, such as a swimming pool, theatre, sports hall and playing fields. Most schools these days also have significant ICT infrastructure in terms of suites or laptops and interactive whiteboards. A word of caution is once again in order. Are these facilities used well? Do they support high-quality teaching and learning? I strongly suggest you ask to see examples of student work in order to examine the sort of progress being made by pupils and supported by the facilities.

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The staff create the right environment, and are role models with a hugely important role in inspiring and developing children in many different ways

he single most important factor, I suggest, should be the quality of the people involved in the organisation. Over the years, when potential parents have put me on the spot and asked me to say why they should choose my school, my answer has always been staff, staff and, in the final analysis, staff. To be successful, a school must have high quality professionals across the age range and the subject areas, dedicated to bringing out the best in the children in their care. The best staff do not focus purely on exam results, despite their obvious importance. They also concern themselves with their pupils’ all-round development. Most successful people are able to communicate and interact successfully with others. Interpersonal skills such as polite conversation, good behaviour and social graces and understanding and appreciating other people and cultures are therefore all-important. The staff create the right environment, and are role models with a hugely important role

in inspiring and developing children in many different ways. Good staff cater for each child’s individual needs and understand how best to motivate and support the children in their care, thus bringing out the best in them. A great deal can be learned about a school through careful research and analysis of data, but to make an informed choice, it’s clear that a visit is vital. Your reaction to what you see, hear and feel when you visit should determine your final decision. You will find yourself introduced to a lot of people, hopefully including the principal or the heads of school. Ask plenty of questions, and make sure you get full and convincing answers on the issues that are important to you and your family. During your visit, also ask yourself some questions. Would you be happy to entrust your children’s education and wellbeing to the people you meet? What is the atmosphere like? Is it purposeful? Are pupils and staff respectful of each other and communicating well? Are the pupils happy? Would you be

Kevin Foyle

pleased to see your children conducting themselves in the same fashion? Ultimately it will come down to your gut reaction. Does the school feel right to you? And, if your children are mature enough to be involved in the decision, does it feel right to them? If the answer to these questions is yes, and the school provides the right curriculum in your language of choice, you have probably found the right school. However, if there are a number of things you immediately take against or that conflict with your own core values, then I strongly advise you to keep looking. Choosing the right school is not an exact science, but with a little background work, some searching questions and a thorough visit, you can look forward to enjoying a happy and productive partnership with your children’s new school. §

evin Foyle has fifteen years experience in school leadership. After a brief period playing professional cricket in the UK, he began his teaching career at Winchester College, one of the UK’s leading Principal independent schools, where he taught history and politics. He was then The British International School appointed to be Headmaster of Norman Court Preparatory School in Shanghai, Puxi Campus 1995. He was a member of the Council of the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools from 2004-2007. In 2007, he joined Nord Anglia Education when he was appointed the founding Principal of The British International School Shanghai, Nanxiang. At the beginning of 2009 he moved with his wife and two children to take up the position of Principal at The British International School Shanghai, Puxi Campus. The wonderful fusion of cultures and nationalities inherent in international education and all that this brings to students’ learning experiences inspires him every day. He enjoys all manner of sports and music and, when time permits, can be found out and about exploring the historic districts of Shanghai.

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nord anglia education Helping children be the best that they can be By Deborah Eyre Education Director Nord Anglia Education

hen we look back on our own schooling, we all have some kind of reaction to it. For some of us they really were the best years of our life, while for others they lie more in the category of ‘best forgotten’. Either way, it was without doubt a very formative period and made a contribution to shaping us into who we are. I think it’s because we’ve all experienced schooling ourselves that as parents we’re so keen to make sure that our own children have the very best education we can provide. Of course, what we think of as ‘best’ may vary from family to family, but the research evidence on this topic suggests that certain factors are important for almost all parents. In short, most families want their child to be happy in school; they want them to make good academic progress; they want the school to show concern for their child as an individual; they want the school to inspire their child and prepare them well for their future life. Or to put it another way, they want schools to help their child be the best they can be.

The British International School Budapest

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The English International School Prague

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The lesson of the last century must be that, for individuals, education matters more than ever before in history

“The lesson of the last century must be that, for individuals, [education] matters more than ever before in history. And not just any education: the right qualifications, in the right subjects, from the right institutions, are of ever-growing importance.”

... who will win places in world-class universities and make a leading contribution

future leaders

advanced learners

So as parents we want to see our children do well and succeed, but not lose the right to a childhood and all the pleasure and innocence that brings. We want them to have a good education but also thrive as individuals, whatever their talents and interests. Of course, there is a significant difference between education now and education as it was when I went to school, or even when my adult children went to school. In practical terms IT plays a much bigger role and access to information is easier and more plentiful. This means that the ability to

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review and evaluate information is just as important as being able to learn new knowledge. So how we learn in school has developed and changed as much as what we teach. Having said that, not everything is different; much knowledge is enduring, and while Science and Geography may have changed significantly and ICT is one of the newer subjects, in English, Maths, Music and PE content remains more recognisable. So the kind of schooling we seek to provide in Nord Anglia schools is both premium and contemporary. It is in line with modern educational thinking and requirements, yet at the same time values the traditional ideals of good education through the ages. Placing the individual child at the centre We focus on placing the child at the very centre of our thinking and constructing schooling that works for them as an individual. We try to guide each child to achieve success in terms of confidence, educational achievement and creative thinking. In the modern world, a typical profile for a successful learner includes not only knowledge to be understood and skills to be learned, but also the learner behaviours that we seek to engender. So when we try to capture what we’re working towards, we encapsulate our thinking in ways such as those below:

... who are responsible and confident, improving things around them

entrepreneurs

oing well in educational terms can bring considerable benefits. It has been associated with benefits in later life in terms of contentment, earnings and health. For example, it has been found that over a working life, the average university graduate earns around 23 percent more than someone who stops after school. At the same time, education has become more competitive, with the annual battle to obtain places in leading international universities becoming increasingly demanding as more and more young people obtain the required examination results. As Professor Alison Woolf of King’s College London so eloquently puts it:

... who are creative, innovative and well placed to enjoy future success

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The Nord Anglia Global Classroom One advantage for students of being in a Nord Anglia school is that they have access to our Global Classroom as well as the usual classrooms in their school. Our presence around the world gives us a unique opportunity to extend teaching and learning beyond the school day and outside the countries where our students study. In the Global Classroom, through a series of creative and innovative activities, students from across the Nord Anglia Education family of schools can collaborate with their peers and work alongside industry experts and educational specialists. The focus is an online learning community which extends and enriches the educational experience through discussion and debate, supplemented with a series of face to face initiatives such as Model United Nations. Typical activities might be the creation of a school mural in conjunction with the art company Edge of Arabia, or participation in an online book group where students can chat to their peers across the world and debate literary themes with a leading academic.

Good education requires good teachers Education research suggests that the single most important factor in creating good schools is having good teachers. We are fortunate in having excellent teachers in our schools, and we work hard to make their life as professionally rewarding as we can. Nord Anglia University offers a range of opportunities for learning and professional development to all Nord Anglia Education people in schools. The university works through a set of faculties, covering areas such as Leadership and Management, Curriculum and Assessment and Education Studies. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a Global Staffroom, linking our network of education professionals to share resources, discuss best practice and keep up to date with topical education issues. We are also blessed with some truly outstanding school principals who provide professional leadership and vision for their schools, and offer support across the family of schools.

The British International School Bratislava

Our family of schools Nord Anglia Education is fortunate in having an ever-growing family of schools in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Over 55 languages are spoken in our schools, and each school welcomes children of any nationality. We actively applaud the opportunities that an international context can bring. As with any real-life family, the individuals within our family of schools differ from each other. In our case we have differences in location, size, curriculum and of course students. In Switzerland our schools use French as the language of instruction, while our largest school, in Beijing, uses the UK A-level syllabus. We celebrate these differences and look to learn from each other and continuously improve what we offer. But then again, we are a family and each school can look to the others for support and encouragement. Schools are never completely alone, and are always being challenged as well as supported by others in the family. Being a larger family can have advantages for students and can also be helpful in attracting high-quality teaching staff.

The British International School Abu Dhabi

Education research suggests that the single most important factor in creating good schools is having good teachers

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The British International School Shanghai

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The British School Warsaw

A warm welcome for parents Finally, we recognise the importance of parents in a child’s education and welcome them in our schools. Did you know that the UK Department for Education found that, especially in the early years, parental involvement has a significant impact on children’s cognitive development and literacy and number skills? In a recent study in England (see main findings below), 72 percent of parents said that they wanted more involvement. Parents are certainly welcome to be involved in our schools, and we value their opinions. • Parental involvement in a child’s schooling for a child between the ages of 7 and 16 is a more powerful force than family background, size of family and level of parental education. • Parental involvement has a significant effect on pupil achievement throughout the years of schooling. • Educational failure is increased by lack of parental interest in schooling. • In particular, a father’s interest in a child’s schooling is strongly linked to educational outcomes for the child. • Most parents believe that the responsibility for their child’s education is shared between parents and the school. • Many parents want to be involved in their children’s education.

Professor Deborah Eyre

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Health, wellness and

hungarian cuisine Howard Matheson offers his unique outlook on health and wellness in Hungary

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uman beings are odd creatures. Of all the species, we do the strangest things. What we say can be even stranger. Consider the term ‘health nut’. Since when does being concerned with your health have anything to do with being a ‘nut’? Plus, this term is grossly discriminatory against people who suffer mental imbalances, such as myself.

Those old enough to remember a company called Pan Am may recall that for a brief time they did make money. It was with the Pan Am Shuttle. I had the undeserved honour of launching the airline (in advertising) and I decided to go toe-to-toe against Eastern, which until that point had held a monopoly on shuttle flights on America’s eastern seaboard (Boston-NYC-Washington). The

Eastern Shuttle was a high-priced, airborne cattle car. Everybody hated it. Their passengers hated it. Their flight attendants hated it (and we all know the pleasures of flight attendants who hate their jobs). Even their pilots hated it, which in today’s world would probably flag safety issues. We went at Eastern head-on. One of my favourite TV campaigns was for the Pam Am Shuttle.

Hungarian Farm

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Traditional Hungarian Goulash

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If you are one of those wellbalanced people who take seriously the concept of ‘everything in moderation’, you may not have the need for a wardrobe change if you limit your enjoyment of Hungarian cuisine to a weekly event, with six days to work it off

he Shuttle quickly developed a better ontime record than Eastern, so we decided to do a transit campaign promoting that fact. We used a delightful illustrator to do a whimsical drawing of someone looking a little Mad Magazine-like, crazed and freaked out, looking out through an airplane window. The headline read: “Does being late make you crazy?” Well, then. The president of the American Mental Health Association wrote a letter to Pan Am complaining about the discriminatory use of the word ‘crazy’ regarding people with mental health issues. (Such as myself, who wrote the headline.) I wanted to reply to the letter, stating that we were originally going to say “Does being late make you nuts?” but we were concerned about offending anyone from the Nut Marketing Board. However, since the letter was written to Pam Am, I could not. Besides, I still wanted my job. Interestingly, the president of the American Mental Health Association was (reportedly) the father of John Hinckley, the young man who shot Ronald Reagan. The world can work in such small, confusing circles, can’t it? If you’re still reading, you might be asking yourself: “What on earth does this have to do with Hungary, health and wellness?” It’s the ‘on

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earth’ part of the question that is relevant. And more precisely, in earth. Take tomatoes.

If you’re from North America, chances are you’re accustomed to tomatoes that are quite tasteless, unless you grow your own from soil that still holds a modicum of nutrients. Here in Hungary, you may notice that tomatoes have something that seems to have disappeared in North American tomatoes: the taste of tomato. Back where I’m from, to get the taste of tomato from a tomato you need to buy a can of tomato paste and add it to your tomatoes. Here, the first time you crack open a chicken egg you might say, “Holy cow! What was up with that chicken?” The yolk is yellow. Really, really yellow. Maybe orange? What were they feeding that thing? Perhaps it was something called ‘food’. Real food. Not pellets and feed, but food. One of the best and worst things that happened to Hungary was the communist regime. What was great about the communist regime is that the people who controlled the purse strings were busy spending money on armaments and

military stuff to try to keep up with the West and spent comparatively little else on anything else, such as ‘modernising’ farms and tearing down decrepit, decaying neoclassical buildings in order to put up efficient, concrete communist block blocks. (We have many of those in Toronto. I give you Don Mills.) Agriculture has always been a mainstay industry in Hungary, and we should all be thankful that it didn’t ‘modernise’. For many reasons (environmental, economical and even political), ‘locally-grown’ is the new agro-chic. And it’s right here, home-grown. Of course, it may seem incongruous to be talking about health and wellness in the same breath as Hungarian food and traditional Hungarian cuisine. For those who have been here less than a year, you should budget for a complete wardrobe change. You may find that all your clothes begin to shrink as your enjoyment of Hungarian cuisine grows. If you’re one of those well-balanced people who take seriously the concept of ‘everything in moderation’, you may not have the need for a wardrobe change if you limit your enjoyment of Hungarian cuisine to a weekly event, with six days to work it off.

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he other obvious thing to mention in terms of health and wellness is the abundance of natural hot springs in Hungary. For centuries, they have been reputed to have healing qualities, and people from all over the world flock to these fluids to benefit from their magic. There’s only one flaw in this logic. If you have a body of water reputed to have healing power, who will you find in it? Sick people. Do you want to get into a swimming pool full of nothing but sick people? Do you want to get into a swimming pool full of nothing but sick people wearing Speedos? And wearing Speedos after a lifetime of enjoying Hungarian cuisine? But we do, in spas all over Budapest and Hungary. In fact, Budapest is known as the world’s spa capital, since it’s the only capital city with natural hot springs within its city boundaries. Most spas have several pools, ranging from warm thermal spring pools to chlorine-free mineral pools. Two of the most popular spas are the Szechenyi Baths on the Pest side and the Gellert Bath at the Gellert Hotel on the Buda side. Gellert is worth a visit, if for no other reason than to take in the architecture. No Budapest tourism website or brochure is complete without a picture of this magnificent facility. In fact, upon formation in 1937 the International Balneological Congress established Gellert Thermal Bath as its seat. Szechenyi Baths on the Pest side was first established in 1881 as the temporary Artesian Bath, but in 1913 it was transformed into a permanent facility and given its current name. Today, you’ll find a multitude of pools and baths within its sprawling complex. On your first visit, plan on getting lost. Plan on taking half an hour to read the pricing menu. I suggest you take it all in: get a changing room, not a locker, treat yourself to a massage and make a day of it. Spas are part and parcel of Hungarian culture. With winter fast approaching, you should plan on a plunge in the warm outdoor pools when the outside temperatures are plunging too. Szechenyi’s outdoor pools are open year-round. Sending a picture of yourself in the outdoor pools in February is a great way to let the folks back home see how tough you have it here in Budapest. Friends in Minneapolis, Toronto or New York will be especially sympathetic to your Budapest plight. What better way to enjoy your stay in Budapest than to drive your friends and family crazy? Those who don’t need any help with that are probably already here. And enjoying every minute of it (almost). §

Gellert Baths

Budapest is known as the world’s spa capital since it is the only capital city with natural hot springs within its city boundaries

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The spa capital of the world

Welcome to Our World

Int er na tiona l Corp o r at e Re l o cat i o n s

The Inter Relocation Group specialises in making corporate relocations as smooth as possible, allowing our assignees to focus on their new job and minimising the stress on their families. The Inter Relocation Group is managed by expatriates for expatriates. We understand the needs, wants and concerns of a relocating family because we’ve been there ourselves.

Inter Relocation Group Ltd. 1068 Budapest Felso Erdosor Utca 12. I em. 4. www.interrelo.com • email: info@interrelo.com

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Inside insight What to consider when buying property in Hungary By At Home Realty

PLANNING TO BUY Considering a property purchase in Budapest? It’s important to review and understand the implications of your investment in this region. With many expats arriving and new businesses relocating here, buying property in Hungary can be a sound purchase, both as a home for your family and as a source of future income.

What is the market like? It’s certainly a buyer’s market in Hungary. Mortgage payments have jumped in recent years for the many Hungarian property owners who took loans in Swiss Francs, which at the time offered lower interest rates than loans in Hungary. The continued strengthening of the Franc against the Forint means homeowners are finding it more and more difficult to meet their increasing mortgage payment obligations. An unfortunate situation for owners, but buyers can certainly benefit from the wider property selection, lower prices and stronger negotiating position. Just don’t gamble when selecting your mortgage! If you plan to let your property to others, consider future demand from locals, expats, businesses, embassies and tourists. Budapest shows great promise as international corporations continue to establish operations here. Before the crisis, Hungary was a top performer among the former Eastern Bloc countries. Hungary is attractive for businesses expanding operations due to its educated workforce, its political, economic and legal stability and its infrastructure capabilities. The city is also a major draw for movie and television production thanks to low costs and generous tax breaks.

Is the owner motivated to sell? Buyers should note that the Franc mortgage situation affects the overall real estate market. However, some Budapest owners, particularly those in the luxury market segment, are resilient to market conditions and willing to hold on to their property. Buyers may find that luxury properties are not available at a bargain, and price negotiations may be difficult. Still, additional renovations may sometimes be offered in lieu of a reduction in price. At Home Real Estate advises prospective buyers to act quickly when a high-end property with a reasonable asking price and unique design becomes available.

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Taxes and extra fees Fortunately for buyers in Hungary, real estate service providers charge no fee to renters and buyers. In terms of taxes and other fees, buyers must pay stamp duty based on the value of the property. Purchases of newbuilt property for less than HUF15 million are exempt from stamp duty; purchases above that threshold are taxed at 4 percent. A stamp duty is imposed on the purchase of resale property if the price exceeds HUF30 million. The same applies to new-built property purchased for more than HUF30 million. Up to HUF4 million (EUR14,700), the tax rate is 2 percent. The remainder of the purchase price is taxed at 4 percent.

How is the neighbourhood? Schools, residential complexes and businesses are rapidly developing in Hungary to meet the needs of relocating expatriates. International schools like The British International School Budapest (BISB) are farther from the city centre, but property around them always remains desirable. Fortunately, they provide bus services based on the needs of the student body. Consider access to both public transportation and parking, both for your household and future buyers or renters.

How much time and money are you willing to put into the property? Consider the costs of repairing an older home versus buying a new, modern property. Renovating and providing luxury furnishing are great ways to ensure demand from short-term renters, if you’re also willing to invest the time in maintaining the property. Your real estate agent should be able to recommend a property management company. Also compare the maintenance and upkeep costs, along with heating and cooling costs.

What are the current price trends in Budapest? Prices in the luxury property market in Budapest have gone in two directions: flat and down. Properties can be overpriced, but as mentioned above, owners are sometimes unwilling to lower their prices. If an asking price hasn’t decreased, it’s unlikely that it will. Instead, the property will remain vacant for as long as three to five years while sellers await more favourable market conditions. On the other hand, motivated sellers are pricing their properties at average or below-average levels, creating a separate, faster-paced sales market. Buyers find themselves competing for well-priced properties that are new to the market. This competition will pick up as the busier selling period begins in mid-September. The bottom line is that when buyers are flexible and decisive, they gain an advantage in price.

An additional draw – Budapest in the spotlight Admittedly, Hungary has recently received some negative media attention. But the world’s impression of Hungary isn’t all bad. The New York Times has featured Budapest a few times in recent months – once presenting a luxurious Budapest loft, another time offering travel tips for 36 hours in Budapest, and of course covering Hungary’s Grand Prix. International news services such as Bloomberg, Business Week and the Associated Press update the world on the Hungarian mortgage situation. Variety, the popular

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entertainment industry newspaper, recently featured the city’s thriving film studios and the many international projects choosing Budapest as a production location.

What types of property can you find in Budapest? Sure, Budapest is a historic city with historical buildings, but you’ll find striking renovated or new properties throughout the city. In Pest, older buildings can hide stunning modern apartments inside, with features such as intelligent house systems, saunas and advanced alarm and security systems. In residential districts, such as the area around BISB and other Buda districts, one can find modern houses with artistic design and environmentallyfriendly additions such as solar panels or geothermic heat pumps. Gated residential parks and apartment complexes abound in both Buda and Pest. They’re popular with expats and locals alike as they offer security, parking, space for children to play, recreational services and neighbours to socialise with. If you choose to vacate a residential park property in order to generate rental income, you’ll continue to benefit from the support of the complex staff in managing the security of your home, maintaining the garden and other outdoor facilities and ensuring the comfort of your future tenants. Last but certainly not least, Budapest’s classical houses and apartment buildings can offer the utmost in luxury. Houses of this style, found primarily in Buda, are multistoried, sit in enormous private gardens and come equipped with sweeping balconies and extravagant architectural details. The many bedrooms usually come with private bathrooms, which in turn may have Jacuzzis and saunas. The high room count offers a variety of options for building and room function (think hotel, office, billiard room and wine cellar). These types of properties are often rented as ambassadors’ residences. As the Budapest real estate market emerges from the recession, property buyers and investors are monitoring prices and waiting for the ideal time to buy. If you’re an expat already living in Hungary, consider the earning potential of purchasing a property while you’re here. If you’re outside the region, there are still profits to be made when enlisting the services of property management firms and other services providers to assist in a Budapest home investment. § • For the New York Times articles, visit www. NYTimes.com and search “House Hunting in… Budapest” and “36 hours in Budapest”. • See “Budapest studios gaining top reputation” at www.variety.com. • To learn about taxation in Hungary, visit www. athomenetwork.blogspot.com and search “How will the new Hungarian income tax save you money?”

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Budapest

Short and Long Term Rentals in Budapest Settling in and Destination Services Property Sales Services throughout Central and Eastern Europe Multilingual and Expat-Focused Agents

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Ten classic books for teenage boys

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By Mark Angus

Rogue Male (1939) Geoffrey Household

Our Man in Havana (1958) Graham Greene

The archetypal Greene work, the novel is set in Cuba prior to Castro coming to power. James Wormold, a vacuum cleaner salesman, is enlisted by the British secret service and agrees to ‘spy’ for them in order to cover his teenage daughter’s very expensive tastes. Wormold’s spying is at first entirely imaginary, but his life begins to unravel when his fantasy world and the real world begin to coincide.

A British sportsman attempts to assassinate Hitler in his rural retreat. However, he is captured and tortured, although he finally manages to escape. He then finds himself on the run from a mysterious figure and the two engage in a riveting and deadly game of hide and seek (the scenes in the London Underground are a particular highlight). Part military survival manual, part thriller, part old-fashioned heroic tale, the pace is gripping, the descriptions of the protagonists’ plans and tactics for survival are compelling and right triumphs at the end. A boy can ask for no more.

A classic work for boys in terms of its subject matter, but more importantly Greene’s direct yet poetic prose style has turned many a sceptic into an enthusiastic reader.

Right Ho, Jeeves (1934) PG Wodehouse

The 39 Steps (1915) John Buchan

Prior to the outbreak of World War I, Richard Hannay has returned to London from Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) when a mysterious man calls upon him and desperately seeks his help to stop a group of German spies known as the Black Stone. However, when the man is murdered in Hannay’s flat he is the prime suspect, and when he decides to try and solve the mystery he is forced to go on the run.

A complicated and twisting plot, treachery, betrayal and some good old-fashioned murder and mayhem make this the father of all ‘man on the run’ novels and films. This, combined with the glimpse back in time to a world that no longer exists, makes it a vital and necessary part of every young man’s education.

Bertie Wooster finds himself in one of his usual scrapes: trying to reunite his friend Tuppy Glossop with his estranged fiancée Angela, avoiding getting married to the soppy Madeline Bassett and trying to stay on his Aunt Dahlia’s good side so that she doesn’t ban him from eating any more of her peerless chef Anatole’s (“God’s gift to the gastric juices”) sumptuous dinners. Thankfully, at Bertie’s side throughout is the inimitable Jeeves, his gentleman’s personal gentleman, who is always there to ensure that he avoids the ultimate peril. A classic set piece is the laugh-out-loud scene in which Bertie’s friend Gussie Fink-Nottle drunkenly presents the prizes at Market Snodsbury Grammar School, which once read will be never be forgotten. Quite simply, this is the funniest, most well-written, warmly generous book in twentieth-century English literature. Life would be unbearable without it.

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5 7 8 Lucky Jim (1954) Kingsley Amis

The eponymous hero Jim Dixon is a Medieval History lecturer at a provincial university in the north of England. Despite the ironic title, nothing quite seems to work out for Jim and he struggles to find a place in the world, a world from which he feels increasingly isolated. In this great ‘outsider’ novel, Amis captures the anger and frustration of a young man who sees his way thwarted by those with better connections but far less talent. A must-read novel both for its delicious humour and its fascinating evocation of a grim, grey post-war England.

All Quiet on the Western Front (1928) Erich-Maria Remarque

Paul Bäumer joins the German army at the beginning of the First World War. He arrives at the Western Front with a diverse group of friends whose fates intertwine. The book focuses not so much on warfare and fighting, but rather the horrendous conditions in which Paul and his comrades find themselves living year after year.

The book is always a favourite amongst boys for its toilet humour, scenes of mayhem and schoolboy pranks that all take place against a backdrop of terrible doom and danger. The last chapter of the book, a single paragraph from which the title is taken, is painfully moving and only serves to highlight the senselessness of conflict.

Of Mice and Men (1937) John Steinbeck

One of the first credit crunch novels. George and Lennie, two itinerant workers in California during the Great Depression, land casual jobs on a ranch, hoping to “work up a stake” and buy a place of their own. However Lennie, who despite his immense physical presence has the mind of a child, accidentally brings tragedy and misfortune down upon the two friends’ heads. A road novel, an astute piece of social analysis, a brilliant study in character and dialogue – all of this and more can be said about this masterpiece. Popular with boys, initially at least because it’s short (I am sorry parents, but it’s true – this matters a lot!), the story soon engulfs all but the most unwilling reader. You’d have to be made of stone not to be moved to tears by the book’s concluding moments.

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6 10 9 The Red Badge of Courage (1895) Stephen Crane

The novel is set during the American Civil War and has as its hero Henry Fleming, a private in the Union Army. Much of the book revolves around Henry’s questioning of his own (untested) courage: how will he react in the face of the enemy? In several graphic yet honest depictions of conflict, Henry discovers more about himself than he cared to know. A truly great war novel in which Crane is interested in exploring concepts of valour, duty and loyalty, but from a surprisingly modern standpoint given the time in which the book was written. It is also extremely interesting to read in the light of what society was to learn about the nature of warfare only twenty years later.

The Diary of a Nobody (1888-89) George Grossmith (illustrated by Weedon Grossmith)

Animal Farm (1945) George Orwell

The animals on Manor Farm rebel and overthrow the farmer. They then assume control of the farm themselves. The novel (invitingly short!) details the trials and tribulations of the animals as they fight to control their own destiny amid attempts to destroy their solidarity both from without and within.

Orwell’s classic parable of the rise and fall of the Soviet Union is flawless. The writing has a directness that is unparalleled and this, combined with his restless and ruthless search for truth behind ideology, makes this the greatest political novel ever written. However, it is far from a polemic and there are moments of real human (animal?) tragedy that would move even the most dialectically detached Marxist!

This hilarious pseudo-diary first appeared in Punch magazine in 1888-89. Mr Charles Pooter is a social climbing, irredeemably snobby clerk in the City and his diary details his everyday life as well as significant social and family occasions. Mr Pooter’s pretensions and lack of self-awareness provide the richest veins of humour, but he is a lovable figure and perhaps one of the finest examples of the inconsequential suburban hero. This book, helped in no small measure by its charming illustrations, cannot help but delight. It’s a fascinating social document in the way that it lays bare lower-middle-class life in the Victorian age, but is also startlingly modern at times, especially in the depiction of the strained relationship between Mr Pooter and his son Lupin, stunningly contemporary in the way it dissects the generation gap and the despair a father feels at seeing his son’s potential go to waste. This is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable books you will ever read.

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SHELTER FROM THE STORM OFFSHORE INVESTING AND THE ADVANTAGES OF EXPATRIATE LIVING By Wade Dawson Senior Partner Austen Morris Associates

“

hy do you live overseas?” All of us have been asked this question by friends and family at one time or another. We all have our own motivations for living and working abroad. A common reason for being an expatriate is that living overseas can provide major financial advantages, and be personally enriching and professionally rewarding. Most expats have a higher overall savings rate of discretionary income than they would if they were working in their home country. This benefit adds up to another tremendous advantage – the opportunity to invest your money offshore.

It seems like there’s a lot written about this topic these days. I want to try to shed some light on offshore investing and independent financial advisory firms. An offshore investment, by definition, is an investment located in a tax-free jurisdiction. Offshore jurisdictions, or tax havens, by their very nature are exempt from tax and incur no tax liability. There are about 40 tax havens, including the Bahamas, the Isle of Man, the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda and Guernsey, just to name a few. These tax havens have legal and banking systems derived from Western countries. Each jurisdiction varies in regulatory barriers, levels of confidentiality and investor protection. The most popular jurisdictions guard their reputations closely and compete for capital and international prestige. As IFAs (Independent Financial Advisors) who are promoting these investments, we of course have no stake in steering you toward – or away from – any particular investment product. We

all earn our living serving the client and no one else. Obviously, if we do not find the right type of investment vehicle or product, we are not compensated. Some people assume their money is much safer onshore than offshore. This is actually a misconception. Certain offshore jurisdictions offer a high degree of capital protection. For example, the Isle of Man offers protective legislation insuring up to 90 percent of the investor’s money, with no upper limit. This banking legislation was put in place in the unlikely event that a company located in the Isle of Man would not be able to meet its obligations to its individual investors. The reputation and overall financial strength of the companies located in these jurisdictions provide financial security as well. Clearly, prominent offshore jurisdictions provide comprehensive banking protection.

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WHY OFFSHORE? In today’s 24-hour interconnected global market, there are no borders in the investment arena. Onshore and offshore investments offer similar investment instruments: mutual funds, stocks, bonds, hedge funds and other fixed interest securities. Onshore and offshore investments offer the same access to global markets, but offshore investments allow for the retention of a much higher level of investment earnings since no capital gains tax is deducted. Tax avoidance is not the only reason investors go offshore. Individuals are also motivated by the historical high performance yields (before taking into account taxes), privacy and protection that the offshore world provides. Capital gains taxes are country-specific and tax liabilities on investments differ drastically from country to country, so make sure you understand the tax advantages that are available to you.

In today’s 24-hour interconnected global market, there are no borders in the investment arena

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OFFSHORE INVESTMENT OPTIONS

Whether you’re a beginning investor with a tight budget (USD1,000 to invest) or an experienced investor with a major lump sum (USD200,000 to invest), there’s an investment option offshore that might suit your financial needs. For the beginner, the best place to invest

Wade Dawson

is in the mutual fund market. Mutual funds have positions in multiple companies; thus instant diversification is achieved. As a novice investor, you should concentrate on building your portfolio through a blend of mutual funds in various geographical areas, asset classes and industry sectors. For the more seasoned investor, a portfolio with a diversified asset allocation is essential. The sophisticated investor might also be in need of additional diversification away from the traditional equity markets. An ideal portfolio might include blue chip and small-cap stocks in developed and developing countries, emerging market themed mutual funds, bonds or other fixed income products, and some exposure to alternative investments such as hedge funds, futures and forex.

investing requires a good plan, just like any successful business venture. Good financial planning is essential for your retirement, your children’s educational costs and your overall pursuit to build capital. Whatever your financial circumstances are, as an expatriate you should consider the benefits of an offshore investment. Austen Morris Associates’ expertise in financial planning, investment strategy and investment management allows us to match our clients’ needs, investment goals and risk tolerance with a portfolio that’s right for them. We would be happy to offer you a free confidential consultation and explain in more detail the investment opportunities offshore and the services we can provide. §

SOUND FINANCIAL PLANNING “Even if you sock away 20 percent of every paycheck your entire adult life, you will only have enough to live on for about eight years, unless you get some growth.” –Andrew Tobias, award-winning author on personal finance Whether you’re young or old, a beginner or a veteran, successful investing requires discipline. The more you can save and invest today, the better off you’ll be in the future. Personal

Wade Dawson is a Senior Partner of Austen Morris Associates, lives in Shanghai and helps people all across the globe with their savings and investments. Austen Morris Associates (www.austenmorris.com) is a Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise. If you’d like to discuss savings and various investment opportunities with Wade Dawson, feel free to contact him at wade.d@ austenmorris.com.

ade Dawson has worked as a China-based financial adviser for the past ten years, helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals. He is a Senior Partner at Austen Morris Associates and lives in Shanghai with his wife and two children. As a result of his insights, he has served as a Senior Partner seminar speaker, given numerous interviews and written articles for multiple Austen Morris Associates publications on a range of financial planning topics. He is dedicated to providing high-quality advice and creating integrated wealth management solutions that simplify his clients’ lives. Wade recognises that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to private wealth management and thus designs investment advice that is unique to each individual client. He and his team aim to achieve returns and service that exceed the client’s expectations. His mission is to help clients reach their financial targets through a personal relationship that is cemented by knowledgeable investment advice.

diversification

“In today’s 24-hour interconnected global market there are no borders in the investment arena.”

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risk

reward

- Wade Dawson, Senior Partner

Wade Dawson Senior Partner Financial Planning & Wealth Management wade.d@austenmorris.com M. 86 1360 127 3265

AUSTEN MORRIS ASSOCIATES www.austenmorris.com

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Lake Balaton, Hungary

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living local Cultural Tips for expats in Hungary By Move One Relocations

t takes some time for freshly relocated expatriates to comfortably settle into the surroundings of their new home country. Let›s be honest – even in some of the biggest expat hubs, such as Dubai, Shanghai and Moscow, and even after some time spent acclimatising, foreigners are still quite easy to spot. Hungary is no exception, and there’s a range of tiny cultural idiosyncrasies that can trip up an unaware expat.

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Bains Szecheny, Budapest

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In Hungary, the first name is the last and the last is the first. Meaning, the family name is listed first, with the given name(s) following (middle name is last)

o help first-timers adjust to their new lives in Hungary, Move One Relocations has put together a list of the top tips to those new to the Hungarian lifestyle. Hungary is well-known for its excellent natural spring and mineral water, as well as thermal spas. The magnificent Gellert Spa and Bath is one of the best-known, established in 1918, attracting visitors from around the world for its therapeutic water and treatments. Other famous spas in the capital include Szechenyi Thermal Baths and Rudas Thermal Baths. When Hungarians count on their hand, they start with the thumb as number one. Hungarians like to use the friendly greeting form of kissing each other on the cheeks. The most common way is to kiss from your right to your left, one kiss on each cheek. In Hungary, the first name is the last and the last is the first. Meaning, the family name is listed first, with the given name(s) following (middle name is last). The crime rate is normal for a medium to large Western European city. Pickpockets and bag snatchers are known to operate in bus and train stations and around popular tourist attractions. Citizens from EU countries with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are eligible for

free emergency treatment at hospitals and local health care centres. If possible, order cabs by phone and refrain from flagging them down on the street. You’ll get a much lower price this way. Upon meeting a local for the first time, a handshake is the normal form of greeting, accompanied by “Jo napot!” (good day, pronounced ‘yo-nup-aolt’). Punctuality for both business and social activities is appreciated. Turning up fashionably late, or more than a few minutes overdue, is considered rude. When tipping, ten to fifteen percent is appropriate for most services. Never leave money on the table in a restaurant, and be wary of saying thank you to your waiter when they collect the money. They’re likely to assume it is an indication to keep the change. Tell the waiter how much of a tip you want to leave as you’re paying the bill instead. When toasting, do not clink beer glasses together, as it may be considered impolite and a reminder of the treatment of Hungary’s legendary generals-turned-martyrs from the mid-19th century. In 1848, Austrians celebrated the impending execution of Hungarian rebel leaders in the traditional manner of clinking their glasses together. Hungarian nationalists pledged to observe a self-imposed ban on the

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Rural Hungarian wine cellar

practice for 150 years. Although the time limit has passed, nationalists have long memories. For a splendid view over lunch, don’t miss a visit to the scenic and soothing Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe. Make sure to sample the famous local goulash or spiced fish soup, the Hungarian palacsinta (crepes) or, in the summer, a cold sour cherry or fruit soup and langos (fried dough) with sour cream and cheese when at the beach. The famous Hungarian palinka, a strong, brandy-like liquor distilled from fruit, is a popular social drink. Locals, especially in the countryside, offer palinka to guests upon arrival. Unlike many ‘local delicacies’ around the world that are in truth reserved for tourists, Hungarians do actually drink and enjoy palinka. Paprika is practically synonymous with Hungary, although Westerners usually use this word to refer to the red spice. For Hungarians, paprika normally refers to the vegetable, a pale bell pepper the locals slice up and eat with nearly everything. The uninitiated should be wary, as depending on time of year and the age of the vegetable the same paprika can be either sweet and crunchy, or unbelievably hot and spicy. Milk in a bag (zacskos tej) is quite probably the biggest surprise expats get in the dairy section. A specially designed plastic jug to hold

your milk bags can be bought in most kitchen utensil stores. Why not just pour the milk into the jar? Leaving aside the fact that there’s usually a hole in the bottom of the jug, the milk stays fresher longer in the bag than poured into an open jug.

Hungarians are emotive speakers who aren’t afraid to argue their position, often regardless of tenability, logic or sanity. At the same time, they often use stories, analogies or jokes to get their point across in an indirect manner.

Turo is usually mistranslated as cottage cheese, but in fact it has more in common with ricotta, being a curd without whey. Turo is frequently used in both sweet and savoury dishes. Turo rudi is a chocolate-covered curd snack popular with kids, while turo with paprika and other veggies blended in makes korozott – a tasty spread or dip.

Hungarians can be quite formal and do not often call anyone outside their family and circle of friends by their first name. Do not presume this level of intimacy until invited.

Similar to the English tea scone, the pogacsa or pogi is smaller and comes in many flavours, although it’s typically salty, and is bought by the bagful. Hungary was the third biggest European wine producer (after France and Italy) up until World War I. The industry is thankfully making a comeback now, with easy availability of quality local wines, and at reasonable prices. Local Tokaji and Bull›s Blood of Eger are tasty highlights. Hungarians often have a dry sense of humour. They enjoy complaining at truly epic length, and poking fun at anything reminiscent of the communist era. While they may make these types of comments, foreigners should not.

The Treaty of Trianon was the peace agreement signed in 1920, at the end of World War I, between the Allies of World War I and Hungary (a successor state to the AustroHungarian Monarchy). The treaty greatly redefined and reduced the country’s borders, resulting in Hungary losing 72 percent of its territory and 64 percent of its total population. Avoid mentioning or talking about the Treaty with local Hungarians at nearly all costs, especially to or near any you don’t know extremely well. If there’s another surefire way to step on a local’s toes, besides getting into a debate about Trianon, it’s by confusing Budapest and Bucharest. Hungary is a fantastic destination, and any expat or visitor is sure to have a great time engaging with the culture and meeting the locals. §

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Learning the

Lingo

Marion Merrick explores the merits of learning to speak Hungarian during your stay in Budapest By Marion Merrick ESL Teacher The British International School Budapest, Hungary

longside the excitement of the move, the not-yet-seen sites of a new country, the lights of an as-yet-unfamiliar city, the friends we hope we will make and the memories we will pack up when we leave, is the matter of making a new home for ourselves and our family. Guide books will show in colourful splendour all that awaits us, but will we feel at home? Will we be happy just in the company of other foreigners living and working alongside us, or would we also like some contact with the locals?

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It is now quite possible within the confines of places frequented by expatriates – malls and city-centre shops, hotels, bars and restaurants – to use English

t is indisputable that more Hungarians now have a smattering of English than at any previous time. There was a veritable explosion of language schools in the years following the demise of the communist system back in 1989, and as a teacher then told me: Learning English is the only thing spreading faster than AIDS! The elderly had learnt German; the post-war generation was forced to learn Russian by teachers barely a chapter ahead of their recalcitrant students. It was a common boast from those finishing school, that after eight years of Russian lessons they could hardly ask for a glass of water. Enthusiasm for language learning was little in evidence when opportunities to travel and use it were severely limited. But with the drawing back of the iron curtain, Hungarians realised that wondrous as it now was that they had the right to a passport, without a word of another language, it was an opportunity wasted. Companies hoping to establish ties with their western counterparts realised also that German and English-speaking employees were suddenly a necessity. Employers began to pay generous supplements to those with language exams, further fuelling the burgeoning number of language schools. Twenty years on, it would be fair to say that the initial voracious appetite for learning languages has waned. While parents may wish to provide their children with opportunities they had not had (to learn English in particular), schoolchildren are somewhat less enthusiastic, in spite of the fact that they will not be awarded a university degree unless they have language certificates. Yet certainly, if you are looking for someone with whom you would like to communicate in English, your best bet is to choose someone under the age of forty. If you can manage some German, choose the elderly – but if Russian is your forte, you had better find a Russian!

So the fraught question remains: should you bother trying to acquire a little magyar during your stay in Hungary? You may well have been told that it is a difficult language, so would it be worth your time and effort? There now clearly exists a choice, since a sufficient number of Hungarians possess some rudimentary knowledge of English which will help with your shopping and other practicalities. This is a choice I did not have back in 1982 when I arrived in Budapest, and I sometimes wonder – were I to arrive now – whether I would make the effort. Armed then with my volume of “Learn Hungarian,” with its texts about textile workers arriving for a trades union meeting, addressing one another as ‘comrade’, alongside complex charts of multitudinous verb and case endings, I returned the book to the shelf at the end of chapter three! But there was no question that I would have to learn the language one way or another. I opted for the sink-or-swim method – more scientifically named ‘immersion’. Faced with eating or starvation, even the most reluctant of us will gather up their courage and speak! We lived at the time on a market square, and it was these stall-keepers who were assaulted by my first attempts to buy the wherewithal for our dinners, (needless to say, there was no Tesco’s or Auchan then.) After about twenty repetitions of the sentence I had memorised, I ran down to the butcher’s; then, waiting until no-one else was queuing there, I sidled over and blurted out my well-rehearsed text. The results were always unpredictable: Where did you come from? one asked, shaking his head in disbelief; You ever go to school? asked another, You speak such terrible Hungarian! I was left in no doubt about how much there remained for me to do if I ever hoped simply to walk away from a shop with the required item, without a lengthy inquisition as to the soundness of my mind!

Marion Merrick

Today, Hungarians are more accustomed to the reality of foreigners in their midst, though anything short of a fairly accurate approximation to correct pronunciation may still be met with an uncomprehending stare. However, should you make the effort to ask for an item, to greet and thank shopkeepers for their services, you will find they are more than appreciative of your efforts. Few foreigners attempt even to learn this much of a language which, frustratingly, bears so little resemblance to any other you may already have encountered. Yet today there are many language schools offering Hungarian lessons with books that focus on everyday phrases you will immediately be able to use. (Somewhat more practical than Learn Hungarian’s Are you miners or iron workers? The peasants are hard-working, or, This comrade is a Soviet journalist.) All in all, it is a matter of personal choice. It is now quite possible within the confines of places frequented by expatriates – malls and city-centre shops, hotels, bars and restaurants – to use English. However, once you venture away from these more international hubs, you will be happy if you have a few phrases of Hungarian available. Outside the capital this is even more the case; and of course, as the saying goes, the more you put into something the more you will get out of it! Learning enough Hungarian to enable you to achieve even basic communication with your neighbours or your cleaner will develop your relationship into something altogether more fulfilling. Your attempts, however modest, will be appreciated as a sign of your courtesy and genuine desire to meet your host countrymen halfway. Moreover, you will inevitably learn and understand more about the new country in which you have come to live. Good luck and every success to all of you who decide to give it a try!

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Third Culture kids Megan Little shares her experience growing up abroad By Megan Little

he business of relocation is all about handling people who find themselves in a foreign country and a different culture. Many assignees are families, and with that comes a lot of worry about how children will adjust to the move and the new surroundings. This worry can be extremely stressful for parents and children, causing the whole move to become very difficult. For the relocation industry, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vital that this worry is understood and addressed throughout the move, to ensure a successful transfer of the assignee to their new environment.

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Growing up abroad gives kids a greater understanding of other cultures, as they have the chance to come into contact with children from all over the world in school

hen a child is moved from one culture to the next, they instantly begin forming their own ‘third’ culture to incorporate all the new and the old that they come into contact with, making them third culture kids (TCKs). A third culture child is someone who has grown up in a culture not their own. They feel that they can no longer completely assimilate with their home culture, and as they are foreign cannot completely assimilate with their host culture. How each child handles this cultural jumble depends of course on personality, duration of stay, age, parental attitude and other factors. Growing up abroad gives kids a greater understanding of other cultures, as they have the chance to come into contact with children from all over the world in school. Their friends are from various countries, opening their eyes to different cultures. They become more aware of the fact that there are different foods, smells, tastes, ways of celebrating and so on. This gives them a flexibility and sensitivity that can be more difficult to obtain living in their home country. Learning and hearing foreign languages is also an important factor in the cultural growth of TCKs. The hope of many parents is that their children will learn one or even more languages while abroad. This may not happen

automatically though, and it’s very important for parents to ensure that there’s some aspect of their child’s life that is submerged in the language they should learn – be that extra language lessons, a special activity or even just spending time with a maid or nanny who doesn’t speak the child’s native tongue. The flip-side to being culturally aware and flexible is a sense of lacking cultural roots. Ideally, children will feel they have stability of where they come from and what they stand for. This generally comes from family rather than culture. Wherever their family is – this is home and they know what social and cultural rules apply. It’s important to have consistency in the home environment, not only in terms of rituals but also in terms of rules and values. In fact, returning home can sometimes be a problem, revealing a gap in knowledge of TV shows, commercials and other cultural touchstones; and children’s peers in their home country may not understand their experiences. Reverse culture shock does exist, and every child deals with it differently. Some may see their return home as yet another adventure. Going to school in a foreign country puts great emphasis on social skills and also builds empathy. At any international school around

the world, every student has been the new kid at one time or another. TCKs tend to have a sense of openness and confidence in handling new situations, simply because they have to! During school they inevitably say many goodbyes to good friends; they have to make new friends continuously. This can of course lead to having many good friends all over the world, but can also create a situation where a protective mechanism is built up and out of sight is out of mind, leaving the TCK with few friends from a specific period in their life. Do the advantages of being a TCK outweigh the disadvantages? TCKs will always be different; they will always have a different way of perceiving the world and a unique understanding of the challenges of a multicultural environment. In the modern world these are key skills. There are plenty of resources to help you better understand your third cultural kid. Two websites that might provide you with more insight are www.tckworld.com and www.tckid.com. Whatever you do as a parent, tell your child that their life will be different, that the lessons they learn along the way as a TCK will be valuable tools in their adult life and that, most importantly, they are not alone. §

marks-and-spencer.hu

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taking it in Budapestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top FIVE Things to See By Christian Brandmayr Ramada Resort Budapest

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udapest, the pearl of the Danube, is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It’s full of unique sights and is the biggest spa city in the world. You can find Europe’s biggest parliament building, its longest cellar system (over 25 km long), a labyrinth in a rock, Roman ruins, the biggest artificial ice skating rink, Europe’s biggest synagogue, the oldest Metro line on the continent and much more… Budapest also has an intense and colourful cultural and night life, and there’s always an interesting festival going on. It’s not easy to figure out the Top 5 things to do here, but we took the challenge head-on, and this is what we came up with.

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Aquaworld

one

Buda Castle Hill W

alk around historic Castle Hill and enjoy a unique view from different spots in the Castle District. Start the tour with a walk over the chain bridge, enjoying the panoramic view, then explore the small hidden paths, parks and stairs up the hill; it’s even more amazing (and romantic) at night. The side towards Pest is very busy, while the side towards the Buda hills is very quiet and relaxing. You can also take the historical Funicular Railway up and walk around Buda Castle – enjoy the view from the Fishermen’s Bastion, visit the Matthias Church, have a cake and coffee in Cafe Ruszwurm or just have a rest in one of the small parks and gardens. Don’t forget to check out the inner court of the Hilton Hotel, where you can still see the remaining ruins of a medieval monastery.

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aquaworld

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udapest is suddenly tropical all year round at the biggest water theme park in Central Europe. If, after some exhausting sightseeing in the busy centre of Pest, you feel like having a little holiday in another world… try Aquaworld Budapest. Palm trees and exotic plants, a replica of Angkor Wat, rope bridges, a white water run and more carry you to another world, and there are also giant waterslides with names like UFO and Kamikaze. There are countless indoor and outdoor pools (including a wave pool) and a huge Wellness Area. While the kids are kept entertained in the Bongo Kids Club or the Adventure Park, you can play beach volleyball or just enjoy some refreshing tropical cocktails at the bar. There’s a free shuttle service from Heroes’ Square to this fantastic and unique place in Budapest. Have another holiday during your holiday!

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hre

Budapest by bike T

ry the most innovative and interactive way to discover Budapest – sightseeing on a bike. Companies like Budabike.com offer bike tours where you get to see not just the usual sights but also some lesser-known parts of Budapest, like Obuda or the Roman ruins. With the bike you see things more intensely than on a tour bus, and on the tour you see a lot more than if you go walking on your own. In Pest, for example, you can explore the most important sights as well as more hidden areas in the space of two hours. A personal guide will show you the enormous Parliament building, the beautiful Opera House, Andrassy Avenue and more… and the tour ends at the very impressive Heroes’ Square, where you can have a break and enjoy a cool drink below the trees. On a bike you don’t just see the city, you feel it too.

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o ur

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Night cruise on the Danube

udapest and the Danube by night are something very special. Maybe the best place to enjoy that amazing panorama is from a boat on the river. Take a Danube cruise at night for beautiful panoramic views of Buda and Pest. Several companies offer cruises; you can do a simple onehour cruise, or pull out all the stops and have a romantic candlelight dinner on the boat. You’ll see the wonderfully illuminated bridges of Budapest, Buda Castle and the Citadel, and you won’t easily forget the glory of the lights of Budapest (including the hundreds of lamps of the chain bridge) gleaming on the Danube, with the stars above glittering in response.

Aquaworld Budapest

Aqua-fun all year round One of the biggest indoor water theme parks in Europe which offers unforgettable experiences. Enjoy all the attractions; • 11 giant slides and 17 thrill pools situated around a replica Angkor temple • Bongo Kids Club, Kids’ World, play centre and playground for both younger and older children • Extreme sports, surf, scuba diving, high diving, adventure park Don’t forget… water-packed fun is available all year round! Opening hours: all year round from 6:00 to 22:00 Free shuttle service between Aquaworld and Heroes’ Square every day. For further information please visit our website: www.aqua-world.hu

Aquaworld Budapest C|A 1044 Budapest, Íves út 16. T|P +36 1 2313 760 | +36 1 2313 772 E aquaworld@aqua-world.hu www.aqua-world.hu

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f ive

margaret island E

njoy this oasis in the centre of Budapest, because it has it all: pools, beaches, a running track, cocktail bars, hotels, clubs, an open-air stage, snack bars… Almost three kilometres long, Margaret Island spans the area between Margaret Bridge and Arpad Bridge and boasts the city’s most beautiful park and a modern skywalk. In addition, it also houses ruins of medieval sacred sites, promenades flanked by statues, a water tower classified as a heritage site by UNESCO and the famous Music Well.

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HEALTH

Expat stress and quality mental health care Getting it right the first time Dr Maurice Preter, MD Consultant Neurologist & Psychiatrist Global HealthCare

hile reliable data are unavailable, stress disability rates in all developed economies have been growing and mental health problems are the leading cause of prolonged disability in people with real physical illness.

Expats are no exception here. Overall success or failure of an assignment, work productivity, medical care utilisation and most importantly personal relationships are all strongly affected by anxiety, depression and substance use disorders. Even in the best-case scenario, the effects on your family of being uprooted, often with little control over the circumstances, can be substantial. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it: being an expat may affect your and your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mental balance. Understanding quality care Much of what passes for quality care these days is not, and even experts can sometimes have trouble determining where better care can be found.

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It’s all too easy to ease the suffering caused by a divorce, while overlooking an underlying anxiety disorder whose treatment could allow repair of the marriage

ecause of the dearth of available treatment options, the situation for a patient in need of highquality mental health and integrated neuropsychiatric care (for the proper diagnosis and care of a seizure disorder with depression) is much more difficult. In the public hospital system, some doctors limit themselves to simplistic, obsolete interpretations of biomedical models. Medication overuse is rampant. Unless they are properly educated, many doctors (and patients) don’t realise that psychiatric medication and psychotherapy are not replacements for each other. They work very well together, but they do different things. Most antidepressant prescriptions are written by primary care doctors who don’t offer real psychotherapy to go with them, and they don’t always have a precise and complete diagnosis. For example, ‘depression’ is often an anxiety disorder, a panic disorder in particular. In turn, panic disorder is often caused by a significant emotional loss or separation. Panic disorder can be a reaction to feelings of geographic or cultural displacement. No wonder it’s rampant in expat communities round the world. Diagnosing correctly the first time Quality care begins with the initial clinical evaluation. When people have significant

emotional suffering, there are usually multiple causes (‘over-determined’, as psychiatrists say), and the central factor is usually not the most obvious one. A patient with an emotionally distant spouse might instead complain of impending financial impoverishment. The initial evaluation should be broad and thorough, with careful attention to personal life, workplace factors, commonplace anxiety and depressive disorders, drug and alcohol use, co-occurring and causal medical illnesses, among others. Just as elsewhere in medicine, that initial diagnosis is where highly skilled clinicians with broad and advanced training are most useful. It’s all too easy to ease the suffering caused by a divorce, while overlooking an underlying anxiety disorder whose treatment could allow repair of the marriage. Dissatisfaction at work is often caused by misery at home. Poor job performance attributed to work stress can be due to a hidden conflict with a supervisor, an unbearable sense of displacement, an unrecognised depression or even an undiagnosed medical illness. Skilled mental health evaluators are trained to sort out these issues, and psychiatrists have the most comprehensive diagnostic training of all. The medical part of their training also comes in handy for those times when emotional distress can be the presenting symptom of problems like thyroid

disease, cancer or other medical illnesses, including treatable conditions such as a sleep disorder due to obesity. So getting it right the first time goes hand in hand with solving the problem effectively and efficiently. The trouble is, less seasoned evaluators only see what they know, even though they may be the nicest and most concerned people anywhere. Problems overlooked at the outset don’t get recognised until much later, if ever. And if effective treatment is not provided, the problem just lingers. Untreated depression, thyroid disease, Vitamin D deficiency, family problems, alcoholism, interpersonal skill deficiencies or panic presenting as unexplained chest pain are all in their own way both financially and morally expensive. Over-reliance on simplified diagnostic schemes may be dangerous. A screening test for depression may alert you to unhappiness, but that could be anything from work stress to medical illness to anxiety, to one of several different kinds of depression (and most likely some combination of factors). We humans are complex beings. The best mental health solutions require thoughtful recognition of the actual problems, and awareness that diagnostic refinement is an ongoing process during treatment. At that point, effective treatment can be provided by well-trained mental health professionals. §

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The obesity problem

HEALTH

FAMILY MATTERS

A discussion with Dr Thomas By Dr Richard Thomas WorldPath Clinic International

hy are children much heavier than a generation ago? Is it important to recognise this in your child or family and intervene? What can be done about it? When I grew up in western New York State, getting out and exercising was what there was to do. Virtually every day, I met with neighbour friends and played active games like tag or pick-up baseball at a nearby empty lot (teams were chosen by the two best players flipping a bat, then alternating hands until a hand didn’t fit; the winner then grabbed the knob and got the first pick of teammate). Or we played basketball in the driveway of our home (first pick went to the guy who made the most free throws) or walked to the train tracks, then off into the fields to search for and capture garter snakes. In winter, we built forts and had snowball fights, or piled snow and jumped off the roof into it, or went sledding on the ‘Big Hill’. The ‘down the hill’ (10

seconds) was fun, while the ‘up the hill’ (60 seconds, or 30 if you ran, which we usually did) was the strenuous exercise part. When we had no energy left, we’d do it for another few hours, then drag home exhausted and happy from the fun and camaraderie. There was one fat kid in the whole neighbourhood, but he was fit and could out-tussle anyone. Those were the days! Will humanity ever see them again? No, not while there are mindless TV shows, or tons of violent game simulations on the latest iPhone or Wii. Not while parents cower in fear that their unsupervised child may be abducted, or lawyers lurk to sue any lot or pool owner who hasn’t fenced off and posted warnings on his property to stop kids from doing what kids do. Some wise parents decide that active lives are preferable for their children. The American Academy of Pediatrics

recommends limiting TV and other seated entertainment time to two hours a day. Many parents get their children into activities that provide an aerobic workout, like karate, tae kwon do, ballet or soccer, to name just a few. In my experience, staying active is simply a great thing for kids to do. Unfortunately, if there are too many calories going in kids get obese regardless of the frequency of exercise. Just think about sumo wrestlers – they work out rigorously, but they eat more than their bodies need. Parents need to assess the approximate daily caloric requirement for their child (and maybe for themselves). First three months

According to the University of Chicago, infants this age need 116 calories per kg of weight a day. Each 30 ml of breast or formula milk contains 20 calories. A 3 kg infant requires about 350 calories, 540 ml of milk. Breastfeeding, in my experience, is self-regulating. That is, kids simply don’t get too heavy while primarily breastfeeding. Up to one year

Infants three to 12 months of age require 100 calories per kg a day, according to the University of Chicago. Ironfortified rice cereal is an appropriate first solid food to introduce, followed by fruit, vegetables and meat. Composition

The University of Chicago advises that an infant diet should consist of 40 percent carbohydrates, 10 percent proteins and up to 50 percent fats to meet caloric and nutritional requirements. Breast milk is high in fats (including the essential fat omega-3, which builds brain cells). Next time, we’ll talk about your older child and what we can do, aside from exercise, to help them avoid obesity. §

FAMILY MATTERS

School Life

kakadu

a n o rt h e r n t e r ri to ry adve nt u re

hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no doubt that the top end of the Northern Territory delivers a fantastically special and unique Australia holiday. The beauty of this area is the joy of exploring World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park as well as both Litchfield and Nitmuluk National Parks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all within a 3-hour drive of each other and Darwin. Easy driving and magnificent nature-based activities to enjoy for the whole family!

School Life

FAMILY MATTERS

School Life

Giant termite hill, Litchfield, Northern Territory

TRAVEL

FAMILY MATTERS

Dawn in Kakadu

ur family of five began our Top End adventure by collecting our hire vehicle in Darwin and driving 120 km south to our first stop – Litchfield National Park. Litchfield National Park comprises 1500 sq km of largely untouched landscape. It’s a favourite place to view monsoonal rainforest, the perennial spring-fed streams and waterfalls, magnetic termite mounds, weathered sandstone outcrops and historic ruins. Our family enjoyed exploring many of the walks, and swimming holes such as Buley Rockholes, Wangi Falls and Walker Creek. For respite at the end of each day’s walks, we made our base at Batchelor Butterfly Farm and Tropical Retreat in the township of Batchelor (only 20 minutes from the park) – and what a wonderful surprise that was! Our daughter was enthralled with all the butterflies, our sons loved the swimming pool and the adults enjoyed the restaurant and very good quality meals.

The accommodation was basic but clean and comfortable, and the visit to Litchfield was a delight for everyone! After two days exploring Batchelor / Litchfield National Park we then headed 240 km south-east to Katherine. It’s a drive through the Territory’s stunning and lush northern tropics, steeped in nature, Aboriginal culture and outback pioneering history. There are many stops and points of interest en route. Katherine is very much an outback town, and the town itself doesn’t have a lot of endearing qualities. However, the region boasts the not-to-be missed Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park. Nitmiluk is home to the spectacular Katherine Gorge, a series of 13 sandstone gorges carved out over a billion years by the Katherine River. The impressive gorge walls and white sandy beaches can be explored on foot, by canoe or on a cruise, and are stunning from the air on a scenic

Our daughter was enthralled with all the butterflies, our sons loved the swimming pool and the adults enjoyed the restaurant and very good quality meals

FAMILY MATTERS

School Life

Lotus flower in Mangrove, Kakadu National Park

TRAVEL

helicopter flight. Aboriginal culture is strong in the area and there are many Aboriginal rock art sites dotted throughout the Park. There are also plenty of adventure activities, and it’s a haven for nature lovers, with its rugged landscapes, dramatic waterfalls and lush gorges providing an abundance of flora and fauna. Canoe trips along Katherine Gorge are a must-do activity. Unfortunately for our family we were unable to enjoy canoeing due to the National Parks survey for crocodiles in the area – better safe than sorry! However, we managed to enjoy Katherine Gorge in many other ways: the three gorge cruise, swimming in a picturesque waterfall and bush walking along the many trails throughout the park. The park rangers and tour guides provided interesting information on the area and Nitmiluk has a simply stunning landscape and lots of activities to enjoy. Our next stop was World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, a 240 km drive north from Katherine. Definitely the highlight of our trip, Kakadu is the Northern Territory’s

jewel in the crown. Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometres of exceptional natural beauty and unique biodiversity, Kakadu is one of very few places World Heritage-listed for both its cultural and its natural values. Kakadu is a living cultural landscape. The Bininj / Mungguy Aboriginal people have lived on and cared for this country for tens of thousands of years. Kakadu National Park is a timeless place – a landscape of exceptional beauty, great biodiversity and a wide variety of landforms, habitats and wildlife. Kakadu is home to 68 mammals, more than 120 reptiles, 26 frogs, more than 2,000 plants and over 10,000 species of insects. Our first adventure in Kakadu was a 2 km walk to Gunlom Falls. We were lucky enough to swim and enjoy the clear natural plunge pool area and waterfall. This was followed by many notable stops as we explored the park: night wildlife safari, a one-hour scenic flight over Kakadu and Arnhem Land, Ubirr and Nourlangie regions, walking and admiring Aboriginal rock art sites, swimming in Jim Jim Falls plunge pool and visiting Jabiru Township,

FAMILY MATTERS

Kakadu is one of very few places World Heritagelisted for both its cultural and its natural values

” Ubirr art site and lookout, Kakadu National Park

FAMILY MATTERS

TRAVEL

the centre of Kakadu. At all of these points of interest park rangers were available and provided informative talks about the art and culture several times per day. Well worth listening to! But perhaps the most amazing of all the regions in Kakadu is the Yellow Waters Wetlands. This is an area that will deliver the WOW factor, with plenty of wildlife action! In fact, just before we arrived a crocodile had been caught eating a shark – unfortunately for the shark, he was in the wrong area and bested by one of the world’s oldest predators! We took a sunset cruise around the wetlands and loved the wildlife action and awesome scenery. We enjoyed three days in Kakadu, and could have easily stayed for a few more. There is so much to do! Apparently most people who come to Kakadu make the mistake of only visiting for a day trip – with

a 6-hour return journey to Darwin built in! That doesn’t allow time to visit many sites and really soak up the atmosphere of this awe-inspiring land. To our family, Kakadu National Park was more than just a beautiful landscape. We left with a greater understanding of the Aboriginal connection to the land. “Our land has a big story. Sometimes we tell a little bit at a time. Come and hear our stories, see our land. A little bit might stay in your hearts…” Our Top End Northern Territory Adventure was nearing completion as we left Kakadu and headed west back to Darwin (300 km) for a few days relaxation before heading home. Darwin proved a good place to relax and rejuvenate, visit some museums, do some shopping and enjoy the atmosphere of the famous night markets.

A holiday adventure of a lifetime to remember! Facts: • Winter season (May to September) is traditionally the most popular time to visit. The daytime temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius and the nights are cool. Perfect weather for all activities. • All roads travelled are bitumen and fully sealed. So short distances, and easy driving. This drive is also a good one for motor home vehicles as an alternative to car / accommodation. Contact Australia Expat Travel to plan your best holiday ever. Local knowledge. Good variety of information. (www.ausxpattravel.com. au, info@ausxpattravel.com.au)

TRAVEL

Sunset in Kakadu

Kakadu National Park is located in a remote part of a remote country... just the place to find adventure.

FAMILY MATTERS

hungary

legend county seat speedway freeway Main Highway Secondary HIghway

FAMILY MATTERS

LISTINGS

Listings accommodation Art ‘Otel A1 (86, b2)

1011 Budapest, Bem Rakpart 16-19 (06 1 487 9487) www.artotels.com Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal A2 (87, B3)

1073 Budapest, Erzsébet körút 43-49 (06 1 479 4000) www.corinthia.com Danubius Hotel Arena A3 (85, B4)

1148 Ifjúság Útja 1-3 (06 1 889 5200) www.danubiushotels.hu Danubius Hotel Spa Resort Margitsziget A4 (89, B4)

1138 Margitsziget (06 1 889 4700) www.danubiushotels.hu Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest A5 (86, B2)

1051 Budapest, Széchenyi István tér 5-6 (06 1 268 6000) www.fourseasons.com/budapest Hilton Budapest Hotel A6 (86, B2)

1014 Budapest, Hess András Tér 1-3 (06 1 889 6600) www.hilton.com Hotel Ramada Resort Aquaworld A7 (85, A3)

1044 Budapest, Íves utca 16 (06 1 231 3600) www.ramadaresortbudapest.hu Ibis Budapest Váci Út A8 (87, A3)

1134 Budapest, Dózsa György út 65 (06 1 329 0200) www.ibishotel.com InterContinental Budapest A9 (86, C2)

1052 Budapest Apáczai Csere János utca 12-14 (06 1 327 6333) www.budapest.intercontinental.com Novotel Budapest Congress Hotel A10 (86, C1)

1123 Budapest, Alkotás utca 63-67 (06 1 372 5400) www.novotel.com Sofitel A11 (86, C2)

1051 Budapest, Roosevelt Tér 2 (06 1 235 1234) www.sofitel.com

health Bethesda Children’s Hospital H1 (87, A4) 1140 Budapest, Bethesda utca 3-5 (06 1 364 9020) Open 24 hours

www.nonstopdentist.com, info@sosdent. hu Non-stop pharmacies: Déli Gyógyszertár H11 (86, b1)

www.bethesda.hu, bethesda@bethesda. hu

1123 Budapest, Alkotás utca 1/b (06 1 355 4691)

Dr. Rose Private Hospital H2 (86, B2)

Óbuda Gyógyszertár H12 (85, A3)

1051 Budapest, Roosevelt Tér 7-8 (06 1 377 6737) Available 24 hours via telephone to register an appointment www.drrose.hu, info@drrose.hu

1032 Budapest, Vörösvári út 84 (06 1 388 6142)

FirstMed Centers H3 (86, B2)

1015 Budapest, Hattyú utca 14 (06 1 224 9090) Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-2pm, Plus 24-hour hotline www.firstmedcenters.com, info@ firstmedcenters.com Medicover Health Center H4 (88, C2)

1037 Budapest, Szépvölgyi Business Park, Montevideo utca 5 OR 1132 Budapest, Westend Healthcare Centre, Váci Út 22-24 (06 1 465 3100) Mon-Thurs 7am-7pm, Fri 7am-3pm www.medicover.hu, info@medicover.hu Optiris H5 (86, b1)

1022 Budapest, Lövöház utca 2-10 (06 1 345 8179) Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-6pm www.optiris.hu, mammut1@optiris.hu Rózsakert Medical Center H6 (86, A1)

1026 Budapest, Gábor Áron utca 74-78/a (06 1 392 0505) Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-2pm, Plus 24-hour hotline www.medical-center.hu, info@medicalcenter.hu Telki Hospital (environs of Budapest) H7 (84, b1)

2089 Telki, Kórház Fasor 1 (06 40 372 300) Available 24 hours upon appointment www.telkikorhaz.hu, info@telkikorhaz. hu Dentists: Pasarét Dental Clinic H8 (86, B1)

1026 Budapest, Pasaréti út 8 (06 1 488 7919) Mon-Thurs 8am-6pm, Fri 8am-4pm www.pasaretdental.hu, klinika@ pasaretdental.hu Profident H9 (87, C3)

1075 Budapest, Károly Körút 1 (06 1 342 2546) Mon-Sat 8am-9pm www.profident.com, office@profident. com S.O.S. Dental Non-stop Dentistry H10 (87, B3)

1061 Budapest, Király utca 14 (06 1 269 6010) Open 24 hours

For Pets: Animal Hospital Budapest H13 (87, A4)

1135 Budapest, Lehel utca 43-47 (06 1 350 0365) Open 24 hours with a 24-hour hotline www.budapestiallatkorhaz.hu Provet Veterinary Clinic H14 (84, b2)

1025 Budapest, Csévi utca 1 (06 1 394 1006) Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-12pm, Sun 6pm-8pm www.provet.hu, mail@provet.hu

beauty A-list Salon & Spa Buda F1 (86, b1)

1026 Budapest, Szilágyi Erzsébet Fasor 27 (06 1 212 1946) Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm www.a-list.hu A-list Salon & Spa Pest F2 (86, C2)

1052 Budapest, József Nádor Tér 8 (06 70 615 1200) Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm www.dayspa-budapest.com Anemona Beauty F3 (88, C1)

1025 Budapest, Pitypang utca 11 (06 1 325 5384) Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-3pm www.anemonabeauty.hu Zsidro Salon F4 (87, B3)

1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 17 (06 1 342 7366) Mon-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat 9am-2pm www.zsidro.net

community American Chamber of Commerce in Hungary C1 (87, B3)

1051 Budapest, Szent István Tér 11 (06 1 266 9880) www.amcham.hu British Women’s Association C2 (86, B2)

1051 Budapest, Harmincad utca 6 (06 30 255 2710) www.bwa.expatshungary.com Dutch Club C3 (87, B3)

1055 Budapest, Szent István Körút 13 www.nlclubhongarije.com secretariat@nlclubhongarije.com

Gerrards International Financial Advisors C4 (86, B2)

1051 Budapest, Arany János utca 16 (06 1 354 0010) www.gerrardsinternational.com Helpers Hungary C5 (87, C3)

1092 Budapest, Ráday utca 8 (06 1 317 8570) www.helpers.hu International Baptist Church of Budapest C6 (86, A1)

1025 Budapest, Törökvész út 48-54 (06 1 431 0033) Service held Sun 10:30am www.ibcbudapest.info International Church of Budapest C7 (89, B3)

1036 Budapest, Kis Korona utca 7 (06 1 789 4321) Service held Sun 10:30am www.church.hu International Women’s Club of Budapest C8 (87, B3)

1065 Budapest, Hajós utca 1 www.iwcbudapest.hu, iwcmembershipchair@gmail.com Jewish Synagogue of Budapest C9 (87, C3)

1075 Budapest, Síp utca 12 (06 1 413 5500) www.zsido.hu

Relocation AGS Movers R1 (85, C3) 1116 Budapest, Hunyadi János ut 162 (06 1 204 8674) www.agsfrasers.co.za Corstjens Budapest Movers R2 (85, C4)

1106 Budapest, Bogáncsvirág utca 5-7 (06 1 261 2651) www.corstjens.com Crown Worldwide Movers R3 (84, C2)

2040 Budaörs, Károly Király út 70 (06 23 507 757) www.crownworldwide.com Interdean International Relocation R4 (85, C3)

1211 Budapest, Szallito utca 6 (06 1 888 6750) www.interdean.com IRC Budapest R5 (86, A1)

1022 Budapest, Bég utca 3-5 (06 1 326 7070) www.ircb.eu Move One R6 (87, B4)

1074 Budapest, Rákóczi út 70-72 (06 1 266 0181) www.moveoneinc.com

RESTAURANTS Becketts B1 (87, B3) 1055 Budapest, Bajcsy Zsilinszky út 72 (06 1 311 1035) Mon-Fri 12pm-1am, SatSun 12pm-2am www.becketts.hu

LISTINGS Café Vian B2 (87, B3)

1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc Tér 9 (06 1 268 1154) Mon-Sun 9am-1am www.cafevian.com Costes Restaurant B3 (87, C3)

1092 Budapest, Ráday utca 4 (06 1 219 0696) Wed-Sun 12pm-3:30pm & 6:30pm-midnight www.costes.hu Éden Vegetarian Restaurant B4 (86, C2)

1012 Budapest, Döbrentei út 9 (06 1 375 7575) Mon-Thu 7am-6pm, Fri 7am-3pm, Sun 11am-9pm www.edenetterem.hu Gerbeaud B5 (86, C2)

Robinson Restaurant & Café B15 (87, A4)

1146 Budapest, Városligeti Tó (06 1 422 0222) Mon-Sun 12pm-midnight www.robinsonrestaurant.hu Spoon Café Lounge B16 (86, C2)

1051 Budapest, Vigadó Tér 3 (06 1 411 0933) Mon-Sun 12pm-midnight www.spooncafe.hu Tabáni Terrace B17 (86, C2)

1013 Budapest, Apród utca 10 (06 1 201 1086) Mon-Sun 12pm-midnight www.tabaniterasz.hu The Kaledonia Budapest B18 (87, B3)

1051 Budapest, Vörösmarthy Tér 7-8 (06 1 429 9000) Mon-Sun 9am-9pm www.gerbeaud.hu

1066 Budapest, Mozsár utca 9 (06 1 311 7611) Sun-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-1am www.kaledonia.hu

Gundel the Restaurant B6 (87, A4)

Wasabi

1146 Budapest, Állatkerti út 2 (06 1 889 8100) Mon-Sun 12pm-midnight www.gundel.hu Kiskakukk Restaurant B7 (86, A2)

1137 Budapest, Pozsonyi út 12 (06 1 450 0829) Mon-Sun 12pm-11pm www.kiskakukk.hu La Pampa Steakhouse B8 (87, B3)

1065 Budapest, Bajcsy Zsilinszky út 21 (06 1 354 1444) Mon-Fri 8am-midnight, Sat-Sun 10am-midnight info@lapampa.hu Náncsi Néni Vendéglöje B9 (84, A1)

1029 Budapest, Ördögárok út 80 (06 1 398 7127) Mon-Sun 12pm-11pm www.nancsineni.hu Nobu Budapest B10 (87, C3)

1051 Budapest, Erzsébet Tér 7-8 (06 1 429 4242) Mon-Sun 12pmmidnight www.noburestaurants.com/budapesthu-HU Onyx Restaurant B11 (86, C2)

1051 Budapest, Vörösmarthy Tér 7-8 (06 30 508 0622) Open Tue-Sat 12pm2pm & 6:30-11pm www.onyxrestaurant.hu Pavillon de Paris B12 (86, B2)

Numerous locations: 1065 Budapest, Podmaniczky utca 21 B19 (87, B3) (06 1 374 0008) Mon-Sun 12pm-10pm 1037 Budapest, Szépvögyi út 15 B20 (89, C3)

(06 1 430 1056) Mon-Sun 12pm-10pm 1123 Budapest, Alkotás utca 53 B21 (86, C1) (06 1 487 5500) Mon-Sun 12pm-10pm www.wasabi.hu

Fitness A1 Wellness F5 (86, A2)

1023 Budapest, Árpád Fejedelem útja 26-28 (06 1 346 3030) Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-8pm www.a1wellness.hu City Squash & Fitness Club F6 (86, A1)

1022 Budapest, Marczibányi Tér 13 (06 1 336 0408) Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm www.squashtech.hu Gold’s Gym F7 (86, B1)

1024 Budapest, Lövöház utca 2-6 (06 1 345 8544) Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-7:45pm www.goldsgym.hu International Wellness Institute F8 (89, C3)

Leisure Academy Golf Club F11 (88, A2)

1037 Budapest, Perényi út 6 (06 1 630 9213) Mon-Sun 8am-8pm www.academygolfclub.hu Amusement Park F12 (87, A4)

1146 Budapest, Állatkerti körút 14-16 www.vidampark.hu Aquarena F13 (85, A4)

2146 Mogyoród, Vizipark út 1 www.aquarena.hu Budapest Zoo F14 (87, A4)

1146 Budapest, Állatkeri körút 6-12 www.zoobudapest.com Castle District F15 (86, B2)

Szentháromság Tér www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/ budapest-castle-district Challengeland Csillebérc F16 (84, B1)

1121 Budapest, Könköly Thege Miklós út 21 www.kalandpalya.hu Elevenpark – Hungary’s largest indoor playground F17 (85, C3)

1117 Budapest, Hengerhalom utca 19-21 www.elevenpark.hu Gellért Thermal BathS F18 (85, C3)

1118 Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4 www.budapestgyogyfurdoi.hu Labyrinth in the Buda Castle F19 (86, B2)

1014 Budapest, Úri utca 9 www.labirintus.com Lukács Thermal BathS F20 (86, A2)

1023 Budapest, Frankel Leó utca 25-29 www.budapestgyogyfurdoi.hu

1031 Budapest, Rozgonyi Piroska utca 2 www.budapestgyogyfurdoi.hu

Pesti Lámpás Restaurant B13 (87, C3)

Oxygen Wellness Naphegy F9 (86, C2)

Zugligeti Libego – Chairlift F24 (84, B1)

1053 Budapest, Károlyi Mihály utca 12 (06 1 266 9566) Mon-Fri 10ammidnight, Sat 12pm-midnight www.pestilampas.hu

1016 Budapest, Czakó utca 2-4 (06 20 393 4219) Mon-Fri 6am-10:30pm, Sat-Sun 8am-8pm www.naphegy.oxygenwellness.hu

1121 Budapest, Zugligeti út 97

1021 Budapest, Budakeszi út 5 (06 1 275 1396) Mon-Sun 12pm-11pm www.remiz.hu

1065 Budapest, Andrássy út 1 www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/ andrassy-avenue IKEA Budaörs S5 (84, C2)

2040 Budaörs, Sport utca 2-4 www.ikea.hu IKEA Budapest S6 (85, 4B)

1148 Budapest, Örs Vezér Tere www.ikea.hu Mammut Shopping Center S7 (86, B1)

1024 Lövöház utca 2 www.mammut.hu Mom Park S8 (86, C1)

1123 Budapest, Alkotás utca 53 www.mompark.hu Premier Outlets Center S9 (84, C2)

2051 Biatorbágy, Budaörsi út 4 www.premieroutletscenter.hu Stop Shop Óbuda S10 (88, A2)

1032 Budapest, Bécsi út 134 www.stop.shop.hu Westend City Center S11 (87, A3)

1062 Budapest, Váci út 1 www.westend.hu

embassies EUROPE

Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Hungary E1 (86, A1) 1026 Budapest, Gábor Áron u. 55

(06 1 326 8905) Embassy of the Republic of Austria in Hungary E2 (87, B3) 1068 Budapest, Benczúr u. 16 Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Republic of Hungary E3 (86, C1)

Széchényi Baths F23 (87, A4)

1036 Budapest, Nagyszombat utca 1 (06 1 250 9068) Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-9pm www.worldclass.hu

High Street Shopping on Andrássy Avenue S4 (87, B3)

(06 1 479 7010)

1036 Budapest, Bécsi út 61 (06 1 367 3860) Mon-Fri 7:30am-8.30pm www.iwi.hu

World Class Fitness F10 (89, B3)

1055 Budapest, Vörösmarty Tér www.aviewoncities.com/budapest/ vaciutca

1146 Budapest, Állatkeri körút 12/a www.fnc.hu Római Bath Resort F22 (85, A3)

1146 Budapest, Állatkeri körút 11 www.budapestgyogyfurdoi.hu

SHOPPING Arena Plaza S1 (87, B4)

1087 Budapest, Kerepesi út 9 www.arenaplaza.hu Duna Plaza S2 (85, A3)

1138 Budapest, Váci út 178 www.dunaplaza.hu

High Street Shopping on Váci Street S3 (87, C3)

National Circus F21 (87, A4)

1011 Budapest, Fő utca 20 (06 1 225 0174) Tue-Sat 12pm-midnight www.pavillondeparis.hu

Remiz Café & Brasserie B14 (84, B2)

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1126 Budapest, Agárdi út 3/b (06 1 214 0553) Embassy of Belgium in Budapest E4 (86, B2)

1027 Budapest Kapás u. 11-15. III. em. (06 1 457 9960) British Embassy E5 (86, C2)

1051 Budapest, Harmincad u. 6 (06 1 266 2888) Embassy of Bulgaria in Hungary E6 (87, B4)

1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 115 (06 1 322 0824) Embassy of Croatia in Budapest E7 (87, A3)

1065 Budapest, Munkácsy Mihály u. 15 (06 1 354 1315)

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LISTINGS

Embassy of Cyprus in Hungary E8 (86, C2)

1051 Budapest, Dorottya u. 3. III/2-3 (06 1 266 1330) Embassy of the Czech Republic E9 (87, B3)

1064 Budapest, Rózsa u. 61 (06 1 351 0539) Embassy of Denmark E10 (86, B1)

Embassy of the Republic of Portugal in Hungary E23 (86, C1)

1126 Budapest, MOM Park C Épület, IV. - Alkotás u. 53 (06 1 316 2645) Embassy of Romania in the Republic of Hungary E24 (87, B4)

1146 Budapest, Thököly út 72 (06 1 384 0271)

1122 Budapest, Határõr út 37 (06 1 487 9000)

Embassy of Russian Federation in Hungary E25 (87, B3)

Embassy of Estonia in Budapest E11 (86, A1)

1062 Budapest, Bajza u. 35 (06 1 302 5230)

1025 Budapest, Áldás u. 3 (06 1 354 2570) Embassy of Finland, Budapest E12 (86, C2)

1118 Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 16/A (06 1 385 0700) Embassy of the French Republic E13 (87, A4)

1062 Budapest, Lendvay u. 27 (06 1 374 1100) Embassy of Georgia to the Republics of Hungary and Serbia E14 (84, b2)

1125 Budapest, Virányos út 6/B (06 1 202 3390) Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hungary E15 (86, B2)

1014 Budapest, Úri u. 64-66 (06 1 488 3500) Embassy of Greece in Hungary E16 (87, B3)

1063 Budapest, Szegfû u. 3 (06 1 413 2600) Embassy of Ireland E17 (87, B3)

1054 Budapest, Szabadság tér 7-9 (Bank Center, Gránit Torony) (06 1 302 9600) Embassy of the Republic of Italy in Hungary E18 (87, B4)

1143 Budapest, Stefánia út 95 (06 1 460 6200) Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Budapest E19 (86, B2)

1054 Budapest, Kálmán Imre utca 1 Regus House (06 1 475 1100) Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Budapest E20 (86, A1)

Embassy of Serbia and Montenegro in Hungary E26 (87, A4)

1068 Budapest, Dózsa Gy. u. 92/B (06 1 322 9838) Embassy of the Republic of Slovakia in Hungary E27 (87, B4)

1143 Budapest, Stefánia út 22-24 (06 1 460 9010) Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Hungary E28 (88, B1)

1025 Budapest, Cseppkõ u. 68 (06 1 438 5600) Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Hungary E29 (87, B3)

1067 Budapest, Eötvös u. 11/B (06 1 342 9992) Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in Hungary E30 (86, B2)

1027 Budapest, Kapás u. 6-12 (06 1 460 6020) Embassy of Switzerland E31 (87, B4)

1143 Budapest, Stefánia út 107. (06 1 460 7040) Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Hungary E32 (87, A4)

1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 123 (06 1 344 5025) Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Hungary E33 (84, b2)

1125 Budapest, Istenhegyi út 84/B (06 1 355 2443)

NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA Embassy of the Republic of Argentina in Hungary E34 (86, A2)

1022 Budapest, Füge u. 5-7 (06 1 336 6300)

1023 Budapest, Vérhalom u. 12- 16. A . ép. II. em. 3 (06 1 326 0492)

Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Hungary E21 (86, A1)

Brazilian Embassy in Budapest E35 (86, C1)

1015 Budapest, Ostrom u. 13 (06 1 212 9400)

1123 Budapest Alkotás utca 50, B épület, II emelet (06 1 351 0060)

Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Hungary E22 (87, b4)

1068 Budapest, Városligeti fasor 16 (06 1 342 5566)

Embassy of Canada to Hungary, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina E36 (86, B2)

1027 Budapest, Ganz u. 12-14 (06 1 392 3360)

Embassy of the United States of America E37 (86, A2)

1054 Budapest, Szabadság tér 12 (06 1 475 4400) Embassy of the United States of Mexico in Hungary E38 (86, A2)

1024 Budapest, Rómer Flóris u. 58 (06 1 326 0486)

AUSTRALIA Australian Embassy E39 (86, C1)

1126 Budapest, Királyhágó tér 8-9 (06 1 201 8899)

ASIA Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Hungary E40 (87, B4)

1068 Budapest,Varosligeti fasor 22 (06 1 413 2400) Embassy of India E41 (86, A1)

1025 Budapest, Búzavirág u. 14 (06 1 325 7742) Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia E42 (87, B4)

1068 Budapest, Városligeti fasor 26 (06 1 413 3800) Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Hungary E43 (87, B4)

1143 Budapest, Stefánia út 97 (06 1 460 9260) Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Hungary E44 (87, A4)

1146 Budapest, Hermina út 41 (06 1 384 5071) Embassy of Israel in Hungary E45 (86, A1)

1026 Budapest, Fullánk u. 8 (06 1 200 0781) Embassy of Japan in Hungary E46 (84, b2)

1125 Budapest, Zalai út 7 (06 1 398 3100) Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Hungary E47 (87, b3)

1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 109 (06 1 351 1179) Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon in Hungary E48 (84, C2)

1112 Budapest, Sasadi út 160 (06 1 249 0900) Embassy of Malaysia E49 (86, A1)

1026 Budapest, Pasaréti út 29 (06 1 488 0810) Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Hungary E50 (84, b2)

1125 Budapest, Adonis u. 3/A (06 1 355 8017) Embassy of the Republic of Philippines E51 (86, A1)

1026 Budapest, Gábor Áron utca 58 (06 1 200 5523)

Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia E52 (88, B1)

1037 Budapest, Szépvölgyi út 35-37 (06 1 436 9500) Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand in Hungary E53 (84, A2)

1025 Budapest, Verecke u. 79 (06 1 438 4020)

AFRICA Embassy of the Republic of Angola E54 (86, C1)

1123 Budapest, Alkotás utca 50 (06 1 325 3080) Embassy of the Egyptian Arab Republic in Hungary E55 (86, C1)

1125 Budapest Istenhegyi út 7/b (06 1 225 2150) People’s Office of Libya E56 (87, B4)

1143 Budapest, Stefánia út 111 (06 1 343 6076) Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco E57 (86, A1)

1026 Budapest, Törökvész lejtő 12 (06 1 275 1467) Embassy of Nigeria E58 (86, A1)

1022 Budapest, Árvácska utca 6 (06 1 212 2021) Embassy of the Republic of South Africa E59 (86, A1)

1026 Budapest, Gárdonyi G. utca 17 (06 1 392 0999) Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia in Hungary E60 (86, A2)

1025 Budapest, Pusztaszeri út 24/A (06 1 200 8929)

LISTINGS

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FINAL WORD

ANOTHER LOOK AT TIGER PARENTING Authoritarian parenting, permissive parenting, loving parenting

ngie was brought up by rigid, authoritarian parents who kept her on a tight leash. They rarely considered her feelings about anything, showing a complete lack of empathy and compassion for her feelings and desires. Yelling and hitting were their favourite forms of punishment. Angie was a good girl. She did well in school and did what she was told, but was often sad and lonely and never felt important. When she married and had her own children, she knew that she didn’t want to treat her children the way she had been. She wanted to consider their feelings and needs. She wanted them to feel valued and important. Angie was a very loving mother. She spent lots of time with her children, playing with them, listening to them, giving them affection and approval. However, because it was so vital to Angie that her children feel valued and important, she often put herself aside and gave in to their demands. Because Angie had never felt important, it was easy to put herself aside. She believed her children’s feelings and needs were much more important than hers. As a result, Angie moved too far from her own upbringing and became a permissive parent.

The consequences for Angie of authoritarian parenting was that she didn’t value herself. The results for her children of permissive parenting was that they grew up with entitlement issues, thinking they were more important than others. Neither authoritarian nor permissive parenting is loving parenting. Loving parenting values both the parents’ and the children’s feelings and needs. Loving parents don’t attempt to control their children – other than for their health and safety – or allow their children to control them. Loving parents don’t worry about being rejected by their children. They’re willing to set firm limits on unacceptable behaviour and refuse to be manipulated. Their identities are not tied into their children’s performance in school or in other activities, such as sports, or how their children look. They accept their children as individuals, even when they’re very different to them. They reinforce a value system that includes honesty, integrity, caring, compassion, kindness and empathy. As much as we want to be loving parents, we may unconsciously be acting out of our fears. If you grew up with fear of rejection or domination, you’ll automatically protect against these fears in your

relationships with your children. You may try to control them out of a fear of being controlled or rejected by them. You might be controlling with your anger, or by giving in. Fears of rejection can manifest with children through trying to control them with anger, or trying to control their love through giving yourself up to them. Fears of domination can manifest through controlling them with anger or violence to avoid being controlled by them. Insecurities can manifest through attempting to get your children to perform in the way you want in order to define your worth. One way or another, whatever is unhealed within you will surface in your behaviour with your children. Raising healthy children means first healing the wounded child within you – the part of you that has your fears and insecurities, and your desire to protect against rejection and domination. By simply being aware that we are all affected by our upbringing and that overcompensation in the way we parent our children is a common and often unproductive reaction to negative experiences from our childhood, we are more likely to find the happy medium which represents loving parenting. §

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Academy Golf Club H-1037 Budapest, Perényi út 6. Phone: +36 1 630 9213 www.academygolfclub.hu

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