Hi everyone! I'm sorry for the inactivity of the post! I became very busy, but first let me recap what happened during the first semester in PG in the UoM: -I did end up changing my pathway. I went from International Development: Economics and Management of Rural Development to Poverty & Development (always MSc). What made me change? Well, I had to take this course (Economics of Rural Development) but in the end it was basic Microeconomics. I dropped it but that meant I had to take another econ course in the second semester. All this was fine, but when I saw it clashed with a course I really wanted to do (Devolopment of finance) I decided to change pathway. Poverty & Dev had Dev of Finance as an option for the 2nd semster whereas the other pathway didn't. This also became convenient financially, as my tuition dropped from £12,900 to £12,300. £600 pounds less really helps with my rent! (BTW, I've seen the tuition fees for the yr 2013-2014, they went ridiculously high!) The only drawback for this change of pathway is I won't get to go on the trip to Uganda, which would have been a good experience and something to add in my CV, seeing how the job market nowadays isn't the best for development graduates. - This yr UoM started the online submissions for papers (At least the IDPM department has staretd it. I'm not sure about the other departments). I wonder what took them so long! My undergrad uni already had something similiar. I find it much better than actually wasting paper and bringing it in person. -My first assignment was not exactly good...it just barely passed! :( Neverthless, I took it as an opportunity to learn from my mistakes and try to understand what the uni wants. So far, they want us to be critical and focused. I just hope I managed to do it for my second assignment. -Made some friends! Woohoo! I'm usually a friendly person so I do not have problems talking with people I don't know, but at the same time I'm also reserved. It's really interesting meeting new people from different parts of the world and hearing their perspective of the world. Next time I will talk to you about the pros and cons of living with a family! I wish you all a Happy New Year! Ciao!

Hi everyone! This is my third blog and it will be about my stay as a potgrad student here in Manchester. I am enrolled for MSc International Development: Economy and Management of Rural Development at the University of Manchester. In 1 year I will be done! But first, a little bit about myself. I am of Bangladeshi nationality but I have always lived in Italy. So, imagine the shock of moving from a sunny and warm country to a cold and rainy place! The first week was awful for me, as it was raining non-stop; it was cold; I was feeling terribly homesick and I hated everything! I kept comparing everything to Italy and how much better it was there, which definately does not help! This just made me more emotional and miserable, which led me getting sick with a fever and sore throat. Thank God I had to go back home first week-end to renew my permit to stay! This helped to calm down and become a bit more optimistic. It also helped that I bought a cheap tablet for my parents so we can Skype :D Today is the end of the second week of classes and I am undecided whether I want to change my pathway or not :S Also, this is going to be my first w/e here in Hyde (I live with a family). Hopefully I won't fill too homesick and hw will keep me busy! Ciao!