Societal Obstacles in Higher Education That Hinder Adulthood Development in Northern Myanmar: A Phenomenological Study

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of college graduates who faced societal obstacles in higher education in Kachin State, Myanmar. The theory guiding this study was the theory of emerging adulthood in higher education, as it looks at how the psychological environment in which they live influences their psychological characteristics development process. The theory helped to explore the central research question: What are the lived experiences of college graduates who faced societal obstacles in higher education in Kachin State, Myanmar? The study collected data through individual interviews, focus groups, and journal prompts, and the data were analyzed through the modification of the Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method for evaluating data. This study found that low socioeconomic status, stressful circumstances in higher education, limited educational resources and support, and positive impacts of societal obstacles in higher education were themes after analyzing the data.