If anyone, PhD candidate Daniel Vakulov (24) is the person to tell you the difference between living in a space cabin and in Aurora. Six weeks ago he moved into the new residential tower block, whereas before that time he lived in such a metal container dwelling for a year. “In Aurora I get to know people much faster than I did in the space cabins, as there are more shared facilities. Like the bicycle shed and the washing area.”

Daniel comes from Taganrog, a Russian place by the Black Sea. He is in the second year of his doctorate phase at the Photonics and Semiconductor Nanophysics group. The main reason for his daring venture to the West is the fact that science in Russia often has a strong theoretical orientation. Daniel is now conducting research into nanowires and intends to make devices with them as well.

Two years ago he was doing a traineeship at Jülich Research Centre, which is just across the border near Kerkrade. Daniel says that Jülich is riddled with students and researchers, so he ended up boarding with a German couple. Fortunately the husband could speak English well. When Daniel had already moved to Eindhoven, he still went back to celebrate Christmas with them.

In Aurora he lives on the tenth floor and has a magnificent view. Being close to his workplace he considers to be a great advantage, even more so when in December he broke his leg after a fall from his bike. “Colleagues helped me out as well as the girl-friend I had then.” Unfortunately their relationship broke up and Daniel secretly hopes that he will find a new love in Aurora.

In the past few weeks he has acted as spokesman for the residents to voice complaints about the accommodation and the facilities. The obligation to pay for washing did not sit well with many residents. Daniel: “My motto in such a case is: Don’t sit back and wait, but do something about it.”