Page 182 - Movers, Shapers, and Everything in Between: Influencers of the International Student Experience
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Acknowledgements
consistent positive presence in my life, in particular Maria S., Rebecca M., Joana P., and Alex M.
I’ve had a lot of luck in life, but I truly won the lottery with my parents. They are lifelong learners and travelers: my first international trip was when I was one year old and they strapped me and my older brother into a backpack and trekked through Japan and South Korea. They have selflessly and energetically supported my endeavors in life, including now, as they help raise my children, which gives me time for other pursuits—like completing a PhD. My older brother, Nick, is a statistics whiz, and has patiently answered my many questions about quantitative research methods over the past years (thank you!). That we both completed PhDs is evidence of the perseverance, high standards, and level-headedness that my parents instilled in us. Now there are two Dr. Merolas in the family!
Last, but definitely not least, I am grateful to my loving husband, Gabriel, and adoring sons, Xavier (Xavi) and Noah. When I started my PhD Xavi was two years old and I was six months pregnant with Noah. Now, as I write the final section, they are six and four years old, respectively. Ignoring the obvious downsides, having small children at home was an advantage in some ways because it made me organized and efficient with my time and energy. It also showed that I really wanted to earn a PhD, since many people thought it was crazy to try to work, raise children, maintain health and a social life, and conduct research in international higher education. It wouldn’t have been possible without support from Gabriel, my husband, who made sacrifices for my success and has been there with me in the trenches of life. He sees the good, the bad, and the ugly, and loves me anyway.
Thank you all for being part of my PhD journey.





























































































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