The first issue of this monologue introduces us to a unique reflection from a group of NUI Maynooth mature rural development students who completed a survey on the typology of a rural dweller as part of a national study. The study 'Rural Living: A Survey of 1295 households' was completed as part of the Diploma in Rural Development by Distance Learning in 2003 and published in 2006 (www.v-learn.ie/links). Each student was allocated twenty households in randomly selected rural areas to interview with a prepared questionnaire. The survey was completed in October/November 2003. No student surveyed in their own local area. The following articles are reflections by students on their experience. Each reflection is edited to highlight a range of themes namely; Changing community & lifestyle, 'disconnectedness', time?, country living, the old & the new, the view and the hunger, future for farming, snapshot in time, and busy living.