Page 191 - Never Too Far Away? The Roles of Social Network Sites in Sojourners’ Adjustment

down or feeling defeated, I’d read some of them again. Catrin, thank you for your brilliance and for your kindness.
Second, I would like to thank the members of my Reading Committee: Regina van Den Eijnden, Tilo Hartmann, Jeroen Jansz, Sonja Utz, Patti Valkenburg. I am still totally in awe knowing I have these experts as members of my Graduation Committee. It is exhilarating to know that the members of my Committee are scholars I admire and look up to. I am truly honored and grateful for your time, expertise, and presence.
Since I arrived in the Netherlands, I have been so fortunate to become a part of three great academic institutions in this country. In all these Universities, I have met people who have helped me and supported me over the years.
I would like to thank my VU family: Tilo, Guido, Kasper, Lynn, Bob, Christian R., Camiel, Anita, Ivar, Martin, Giulia, Jolanda, Christian B., Sylvia, Esther, Ewa, Jacek, Jie, Coen, Jan, Jaap, Jos, Elly, Nicoleta, Diamantis, Jessica, Jolien, Marloes, Charles, Wouter, Britta, Ellen, Felicia. Thank you very much for the very warm welcome I received when I just arrived in the Netherlands, and the fun and nurturing environment all throughout my stay at the VU.
Anita, you have been so kind and made me feel so welcome right away. You even invited me to your home for dinner, and to your birthday celebration, when you barely knew me. I will never forget those. Tilo, you made it a point to ask how I was adjusting during my first few months, and that you would send me articles related to my topic for my 8-month product. Guido, you have been a great mentor for the PhD club. Your comments about our work and practical tips on how to survive PhD have immensely helped all of us. Kasper, I will never forget that you helped me locate a dentist to repair my broken front tooth after I had a bike accident in my first month in Amsterdam. Jolien, thank you for asking me about my first experience of snow and for giving me tips on how not to slip on streets covered with sleet, also thanks for the hair product recommendations and for patiently trying to teach me Dutch.
To my VU roomies both in the Metropolitan and the new building: Anika, Celine, Xanthe, Ewa, Jie, Hande, Amber, Nadja, Giulia – you made my daily life so much fun! I was lucky to be always surrounded by smart, fun-loving, and supportive girlfriends! Thank you for the beautiful friendship. You, among others, have seen how crazy I could get at work. Sorry, I hit my keyboard with speed and intensity like there’s no tomorrow when totally absorbed – but hey, that was just my passion for research manifesting.
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