In his previous avatar, Alok advised blue chip companies on brand strategy and growth in China and India for a decade, after graduating from Warwick Business School in the UK. 

Alok is passionate about the education space and the impact it has on the future of  individuals, communities, and societies. A lifelong learner himself, he recently completed the Green Educators Course from Green School Bali and an advanced digital marketing course from INSEAD.  

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, being an involved parent, reading crime fiction and history, travelling, and exploring cultures, art, and architecture. Joining Alok are his wife Eva, and sons Zyan and Zohran, who are delighted to join the BISB community. 

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

I arrived in Budapest in January. I lead the Marketing and Communications team at The British International School Budapest, one of the most prestigious international schools in the country, it was my job that brought me here apart from me wanting to explore the country as an expat.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?

After completing my graduate studies in England, I had a short stint in Novosibirsk, Russia and my expat journey has taken me to China, Burma (Myanmar), Uzbekistan, and now Hungary where my family and I are enjoying the exploration.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?

The welcoming and affable demeanour of the Hungarian people. I had read otherwise in pop culture and was pleasantly surprised.

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

Albeit I’ve been here only a short while, but I’d recommend walking around Andrassy Avenue, the Heroes’ Square, the Szechenyi thermal bath, City Park, and Vajdahunyad Castle. Needless to mention visiting the iconic Hungarian Parliament building for its architecture.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?

The Túrós Csusza, Fisherman’s soup and Peach Pálinka.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?

Hot chocolate, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, and The British International School Budapest fridge magnet.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?

Two actually. Persze (like the sound of it), and Jó Napot (breaks the ice).

8. What do you miss most from home?

Family, friends, and Butter Chicken!

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

If not leading brand strategy at The British International School Budapest, I would have been a Historian or an English Lit professor.

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

Not having a job at all.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?

By the pristine beaches of North Goa.

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

A trip to Vienna and Salzburg is in the offing. We quite enjoy exploring the Hungarian villages such as Szentendre and Hollókő. 

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

Dark chocolate and Coca Cola.

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

Movie: The Godfather, with Brando, Pacino and De Niro
Band:The Doors with Jim Morrison
Hobby: I quite enjoyed sketching ‘portraits’.

15. Red or white?

Definitely white – purity, pristine, calm, innocence.

16. Books or films?

Both, books for the day and films at night.

17. Morning person or night person?

As a bachelor was a night person, metamorphosed into a morning person with parenthood.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

Women safety and protection.

19. Buda or Pest?

Buda for living and Pest for entertainment.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?

The closing of the poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling (below):

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And — which is more — you’ll be a Man, my son!