The university experience in rural higher education contexts: meanings constructed by students.

Abstract

The expansion of higher education into rural areas has significantly broadened horizons for individuals with limited access to university options; however, little is still understood regarding how students experience their educational journeys. This study seeks to explore the academic experiences of students at an institution situated in the rural northwestern region of Mexico. A qualitative study employing an interpretive phenomenological approach was conducted, based on semi-structured interviews. The results yielded four fundamental themes: identity transformation, life planning, social mobility, and territorial belonging. The findings reveal a relationship between the university experience and identity construction, professional aspirations, and engagement with the local environment, thereby offering a situated perspective on rural higher education.