Student voices: Experiences of those who study and work at a private university in Lima, Peru.

Abstract

This study provides an in-depth analysis of the experiences of university students who simultaneously balance work and study in a private university in Lima, a growing phenomenon within Latin American higher education. In a context marked by socioeconomic disparities and the increasing privatization of education, this population faces significant tensions that affect their academic, personal, and emotional well-being. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach with a phenomenological design, through structured interviews with three working students selected by convenience sampling. The testimonies were subjected to a manual coding process, considering a priori categories related to their comprehensive experience in university life. The findings show that the dual burden generates high levels of physical fatigue and stress, hindering the fulfillment of academic demands. However, benefits were also identified, such as the strengthening of resilience, autonomy, and satisfaction derived from personal and economic growth. Participants pointed out the existence of institutional gaps: insufficient regulations to respond to the needs of those who work, lack of flexibility in attendance policies, and limited recognition of their complex routines. Additionally, perceptions of faculty attitudes varied from empathy and support to rigidity and low understanding of their daily reality. Regarding improvement proposals, students suggested flexible scheduling, technological enhancements in classrooms, faculty accompaniment sensitive to student diversity, and a review of working conditions associated with pre-professional internships, all aimed at ensuring a sustainable and equitable academic trajectory. The study concludes that private universities must urgently adopt inclusive policies based on student heterogeneity. Recognizing the demands of those who study and work not only promotes comprehensive well-being but also strengthens their persistence and academic success within contemporary higher education.