Rijk Zwaan Hungary Ltd. is the Hungarian subsidiary of an international company. They specialise in breeding and distributing vegetable seeds to producers in more than 100 countries, thereby helping to provide millions of people with fresh vegetables worldwide.

Their “wonder garden” in Felgyő serves as a research facility, where hundreds of varieties of each vegetable are cultivated in vast, well-maintained greenhouses. These varieties are analysed for nutritional value, flavour, shelf life, resilience to environmental factors, and many other attributes in order to select the best performers, which are then propagated for commercial distribution. The site also functions as a demonstration garden, welcoming regional growers who can visit and choose the varieties best suited to their needs. The company places great importance on allowing farmers to select from crops grown in climates similar to their own, therefore the Hungarian site also plays a key role in serving Central Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

In early April, I was invited to Felgyő to provide interpretation during a visit from an HR consultant from the Dutch parent company. I had the pleasure of working alongside Madlen, an exceptionally kind, attentive while pragmatic professional. My first task was to interpret during her one-on-one meetings with local staff. On the second day, I interpreted during a Hungarian-language discussion among members of the local leadership team, ensuring Madlen could follow the conversation. In such settings, we use a form of simultaneous interpreting known as “whispered interpreting” so as not to interrupt the flow of the discussion.

The final event was a workshop for employees, where I interpreted Madlen’s presentation for the participants. During lunch, I had the chance to be the first to taste a new variety of pepper, sneakily included among the grilled vegetables of a specially prepared vegetarian menu – which, I must say, was absolutely delicious.

All in all, it was a fascinating experience to see how a large multinational company ensures not only the implementation of its workplace culture but also takes great care to provide every employee with a supportive working environment and proper conditions. I had the opportunity to meet colleagues who are not only highly skilled professionals, but genuinely enjoy their work, love their workplace, and the team they work with. In fact, nearly all of them see their future with the company – a testament to the positive atmosphere and commitment within the team.

The Hungarian site boasts internationally recognised achievements, which only reinforced my belief that prioritising employee wellbeing, maintaining high standards in working conditions, and nurturing team spirit is not just beneficial for the staff, but also a long-term investment that contributes to a company’s stability and outstanding performance.

As a lovely bonus to the team’s heartwarming hospitality, I also got to visit a part of Hungary I had never seen before. From my accommodation in Csongrád, I took a springtime walk through the flower-covered town to the pontoon bridge and enjoyed an early morning riverside walk all the way to the confluence of the Tisza and the Hármas-Körös.

I truly hope this won’t be my last visit – I’d be delighted to return any time.