Learning experiences of young people at the Universidad Intercultural de Chiapas

Abstract

This paper presents the main learning experiences of students and graduates of the Universidad Intercultural de Chiapas, San Cristóbal de las Casas (UNICH, Mexico), which uncover the articulation of three institutions that are key to social reproduction: family, school (in this case, the university) and work. The goal is thus to reflect on learning experiences that leave a strong mark on young people before, during and after their enrolment and graduation from university. These experiences are related with their passage and stay at university, but also with aspects beyond the university campus, on which they also draw to construct their condition as young persons (socially and subjectively). The paper is divided in three parts. First, some characteristics of the context and population under study are summarized. Second, my theoretical and methodological perspective is briefly described. Third, the most important experiences according to the analysis undertaken are presented, based on the accounts of the young people interviewed.