Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Experiences of Higher Education Students: A Qualitative Study in the Angolan Context
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17575/psicologia.1957Keywords:
COVID-19 Pandemic, Higher Education, Student Experience, AngolaAbstract
The psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education (HE) students have been linked to young adult development and to changes in academic practices and dynamics. The impact of these conditions is rarely contextualized within the cultural knowledge of the populations being studied. This study aimed to understand the perceptions of Angolan students regarding their academic experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected through an open-ended questionnaire administered online. A thematic analysis of students’ responses was conducted, which identified three central themes: The difficult academic experience of loss and threat, Specific concerns and challenges beyond academic life, and Resources for coping during the confinement period. The study’s findings are discussed in light of their alignment with the results of similar research and through contextualization of the specific emerging subthemes within dimensions of Angolan culture.
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