Despite the serious inconvenience that is a lack of washing machines for students, the university’s much-heralded Blue House project appears to be a success.

At the end of January, 15 female and 24 male students moved from Jacobs University campus housing into the first three stories of the Blue House in downtown Vegesack.

Although located right next to the friendly little Bahnhof Vegesack, the blue building at first might exude boredom or antiquity to vivacious Jacobs students.

And the project has had its share of problems. However, given its location, the Blue House – or “Blue Zone” as it is affectionately called – grants students a chance to distance themselves and feel less caught up in the Jacobs bubble.

“I really feel free,” one Blue House resident told your correspondents. “I love being off the Aramark meal plan and cooking for myself and I love being out of the bubble at least over the night.”

Most of the students residing in the Blue House are second and third years, but it does not fall short of graduate students and even freshmen.

Former College III Resident Associates Warren Laine, Tomek and Renata Jurkowski also moved in as the Resident Supervisor and the RAs of the Blue Zone respectively.

Three stories of the Blue House are occupied by students. On other floors live mostly elderly residents while the remainder of the building is filled with private clinics.

The retired Germans evidently make friendly neighbours. One “Blue Zone” inhabitant said that in the process of moving in, she was greeted and welcomed into the building by an elderly woman, who told her that people were excited by the young and fresh new faces which were arriving.

The neighbours from above are friendly, but it is the neighbours directly below the Blue House that offer clear and obvious perks of living in the Blue House. Just a few steps from the student entrance into the apartment is a Greek restaurant, a hair salon with a well-recognized hairstylist and best of all – a Döner shop. Aside from the fact that Haven Hööft can be seen from the window, it is the blessing of €2.50 Döner Donnerstags which brings smiles to the faces of the “Blue Zone” Jacobs students.

Apart from the convenience, many students also enjoy the perfect view of the Weser, the seemingly more stress-free ambience and the facilities of the Blue House.

Every Sunday, the RAs in the Blue House cook and invite residents to join in a social evening. This cosy atmosphere has proved to help stressed Jacobs students separate work from life.