He lived in Hungary after the fall of Communism, he played American football at a Colorado college and now he's a Highlander.
It is fair to say James Paterson has not travelled the usual path to get to the professional rugby ranks.
Paterson (22) has one of the more exotic stories to tell in a Highlanders squad dominated by young men who have followed the usual First XV-academy-province route to the Super 14.
"I've been all over the show," is the winger's wry summation of his life and his sporting career.
"Hopefully, I've found a base for the next few years, at least."
Paterson was born in Christchurch but lived in Hungary for seven years as a child, when his father worked there as an agricultural consultant.
Then it was back to New Zealand for a few years, before the family moved to the United States - Paterson's mother is an American - when Paterson was 17.
He played rugby and American football, as a running back, at his Colorado high school, earning scholarship offers in his second-favourite sport from division one colleges, among them Air Force, Boise State and San Diego State.
"The only problem was I still liked rugby and none of them would let me play both," Paterson said.
He choose a second division engineering college, the Colorado School of Mines, where he played American football as a slot back (receiver) but ended up being blocked from rugby.
That didn't please Paterson one bit.
"Rugby was and is No 1 for me and that's what drove me to come back to New Zealand."
He said playing gridiron had developed his speed and his ability to succeed in one-on-one situations, two keys to playing rugby on the wing.
Paterson played for the United States at under-19 level and remains eligible to play for either the Eagles or the All Blacks.
One could provide an easier route to a World Cup but the other would be more satisfying.
"The American guys always call me every year asking if I want to go back and play.
"First and foremost, my goal is to be an All Black. But if that doesn't eventuate, it would be great to play international rugby, so playing for the US would be an option."
Paterson said he was settling in well at the Highlanders, where he will be in a keen competition for starting jerseys with new All Black Ben Smith and a resurgent Fetu'u Vainikolo.
He was on the bench for Canterbury when Southland pilfered the Ranfurly Shield two months ago, and is now looking forward to helping the Stags defend the Log o' Wood when he turns out for them next year.
Paterson is flatting in Dunedin with another new face, former Wellington and Blues five-eighth Michael Hobbs.
