Polina Ivannikova (18) is studying International Business and Management Studies at Fontys University of Applied Sciences. Since last August she has been living in Luna on the TU/e campus. She has a beautiful corner apartment on the eighth floor from which she has a great view of the TU/e campus and the city center.

Russian Polina chose to study in the Netherlands because of the many opportunities and good prospects this country offers. “I think the Netherlands is one of the most comfortable European countries in which to live and work. I also appreciate Dutch study methods.”

“In my first six months here I found it difficult to adapt to the Dutch culture. Living in the Netherlands is not hard, but it is very different. Dutch food and the Dutch way of celebrating the various Christian holidays - all of this is something special. What is more, as a foreigner you have to get used to the type of food people eat here, lots of cheese, croquettes and sandwiches! The cultural holidays like Carnival are also new to me."

Before she came to Luna, Polina lived in a dormitory in the Hemelrijken neighborhood. She really appreciates the fact that she now has a private apartment with her own bathroom and kitchen. It even has its own television, vacuum cleaner and dishwasher!

“Living in Luna is ideal,” Polina says. “There is a nice atmosphere, and we have laundry facilities and a bicycle shed. There are waste containers in front of the building. There is also a concierge who you can turn to for all kinds of help. I could not open my window because it was broken, and it was fixed for me. The concierge also explained to me how to use the laundry room.”

She feels it is a shame that the common rooms are not yet ready. Nevertheless, she has already met many of the other residents, who come from quite different countries - India, the Netherlands, Italy, Indonesia and China. With some of them she goes to the city center for dinner or to do grocery shopping.

Her favorite place on campus? No doubt the rooftop of Luna. “From there you have a great view over the city center. Unfortunately it has been closed due to security concerns.”