I wouldn’t trade my expat life teaching English to preschoolers in Budapest for the world. But there are little details to living and working in another country that I didn’t anticipate.
I’ve already spent an afternoon in the immigration office, and this week I’ve become all too familiar with other waiting rooms at…
The Bank
When I stepped up to the take a number machine at the nearest OTP branch, I was relieved to see a tiny Union Jack at the bottom of the screen. Soon I was sitting down with an English speaking associate, signing all sorts of papers, and being assured that my card would be in the mail shortly. Bank account? Check!
The Doctor’s Office
After a brief scavenger hunt to find the clinic, I settled in the waiting room, staring at walls pasted in notices and directions in a language I couldn’t understand. But soon enough I was shaking hands with my kind-eyed doctor and walked out registered and reassured.
I may be intimidated at the thought of doing anything official here, but, in spite of my procrastination, I now have residency, healthcare, and financial independence. And I’ve had help from my Hungarian colleagues to make sense of it all.
And, as it turns out, a waiting room is the perfect place to write blog posts.
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