Studying at a New Remote University Campus: Challenges and Strategies in Students’ Sustainable Self-Development

In the context of higher education expansion, student enrolment in remote branch campuses within China has increased dramatically, but the challenges and strategies for the sustainability of these students are not adequately reflected in the literature. This study investigated students’ learning experiences at a newly remote university campus, concentrating on the challenges students encounter and the strategies they adopt. We recruited 30 university students studying at a remote branch campus in China as the research subjects and employed interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore participants’ experiences. The findings indicated that students are challenged by the learning atmosphere, the number and quality of teachers, learning spaces, the campus and urban environment, and university and community culture. In response to various challenges, students tend to adopt self-adjustment strategies rather than seeking support from the institution. It can be concluded that students’ sustainability at the new remote branch campus is influenced by learning, environmental and culture-related factors, and students develop an attitude of helplessness. Strategic interventions should be adopted to enhance their learning experience and promote sustainable development.