Maike Malda
09-06 2019 21:28
wrote:
Fons did not only introduce me to the fascinating world of cross-cultural psychology, but also to my second home, South Africa. When I studied Psychology, Fons taught the only two culture-related courses. My friend Marjos and I were intrigued by the topics addressed, and approached Fons to discuss whether we could do research for our Master thesis abroad. Fons was very open to this idea and suggested several options, one of which was a study in South Africa. And so we went, August till December 2003. Shortly after graduating in 2004, Fons together with Catherine Transler (deceased April 23rd 2019) created the opportunity for me to start a PhD project. I collected data in India and in South Africa, which implied going on 11 trips in about 4 years. Fons supervised me well, not only face-to-face, but also from a distance; he was always available for a late-night Skype and I could rely on his quick replies by e-mail. Fons kept the perfect balance between giving me advice and feedback on the one hand, and trusting that I would make the right decisions on the other hand. I very much appreciated his sharpness, cheerfulness, and his consistency. Several weeks after my PhD defense, I returned to South Africa for a postdoc. Again, I met up with the people I knew through Fons from my first trip in 2003 and next trips in 2008. They turned out to be some of my closest friends up till this day. Looking back on the past 16 years or so, I can only conclude that Fons enriched my life, both professionally and personally. I will surely miss him.
Maike Malda
09-06 2019 21:28
wrote:
Fons did not only introduce me to the fascinating world of cross-cultural psychology, but also to my second home, South Africa. When I studied Psychology, Fons taught the only two culture-related courses. My friend Marjos and I were intrigued by the topics addressed, and approached Fons to discuss whether we could do research for our Master thesis abroad. Fons was very open to this idea and suggested several options, one of which was a study in South Africa. And so we went, August till December 2003. Shortly after graduating in 2004, Fons together with Catherine Transler (deceased April 23rd 2019) created the opportunity for me to start a PhD project. I collected data in India and in South Africa, which implied going on 11 trips in about 4 years. Fons supervised me well, not only face-to-face, but also from a distance; he was always available for a late-night Skype and I could rely on his quick replies by e-mail. Fons kept the perfect balance between giving me advice and feedback on the one hand, and trusting that I would make the right decisions on the other hand. I very much appreciated his sharpness, cheerfulness, and his consistency. Several weeks after my PhD defense, I returned to South Africa for a postdoc. Again, I met up with the people I knew through Fons from my first trip in 2003 and next trips in 2008. They turned out to be some of my closest friends up till this day. Looking back on the past 16 years or so, I can only conclude that Fons enriched my life, both professionally and personally. I will surely miss him.
