La mobilité des étudiants étrangers au Maroc : Cas des jeunes subsahariens et leurs trajectoires (Université Moulay Ismail-Meknès).

Abstract

As a host country, Morocco has experienced a significant increase in student mobility, particularly from sub-Saharan African countries. Far from being a spontaneous phenomenon driven solely by students’ individual initiative, this form of mobility reflects a complex dynamic embedded in broader systems of economic and political exchange between countries of origin and destination. This field-based study adopts a qualitative research approach, as it allows for an in-depth understanding of the conditions, forms, and representations shaping individuals’ experiences. Among the various data collection techniques available, we chose the semi-structured interview method, conducting interviews with 16 male and female students from Sub-Saharan African countries, who came to Meknes to pursue their university studies. A snowball sampling technique was employed in order to reach a sufficient number of participants within a limited timeframe. The objective of this article is to analyze the trajectories of sub-Saharan students studying at various institutions affiliated with Moulay Ismaïl University in Meknès, affiliated with Moulay Ismail University in Meknes. The study examines their experiences, motivations, and the ways in which they cope with the challenges associated with their academic trajectories. Particular attention is paid to two key aspects: the influence of social status on the continuity of their academic paths, and the settlement strategies, whether temporary or permanent, that they envisage after graduation. By exploring their adaptation processes and the difficulties they encounter, this study sheds light on the complexities of sub-Saharan student mobility in Morocco