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!