Can you imagine what would happen if we brought together 10 students from 7 different undergraduate and master's programs and had them work on solving real-world challenges at an organic farm, a shop selling local products, and an artisanal confectionery? That's exactly what we achieved with "Remote Villages ULL Guía de Isora ." Now in its third year, this initiative—in collaboration with the University of La Laguna —has proven to be much more than an academic project: it's a space where youth, innovation, and a commitment to sustainable development come together to generate a positive impact on both students and local communities.
The challenges of today's youth: a barrier we must overcome
Today's youth face challenges that extend beyond academics and careers. These are social, emotional, and cultural barriers that limit their personal development and their ability to meet the challenges of the real world
- Individualistic society: The "me first" culture and emotional disconnection have weakened the values of collaboration and community.
- Social and communication skills problems: The inappropriate use of technology has reduced the ability to interact face-to-face, affecting empathy and effective communication.
- Conformist youth: There is a widespread lack of interest in entrepreneurship and the search for innovative solutions for sustainable development.
- Disconnection from nature and the rural world: Many young people have lost their connection with natural environments, forgetting their importance for our well-being and sustainability.
- Lack of creativity: Traditional academic routine often stifles the ability to think outside the box.
Disconnection between academic learning and real-world contexts: What is learned in classrooms is rarely applied in everyday situations, leading to frustration and a lack of purpose.
The benefits of “Pueblos Remotos Students”
At Pueblos Remotos we started in 2024 with our experiences for students: Pueblos Remotos Students (mainly from Universities, Masters or Vocational Training), in which 10 students live together for 5 days in a rural municipality, working with local entrepreneurs, enriching themselves with learning at a personal and professional level.
Furthermore, this project not only identifies the challenges related to today's youth mentioned above, but also actively works to combat them, offering young people a unique, practical and transformative educational experience:
1. Experiential and applied learning
Students apply their academic knowledge in real-world contexts. The solutions they devise for local businesses are not theoretical exercises, but concrete responses to real problems affecting these small businesses.
2. Promotion of social and communication skills
Teamwork, meetings with local entrepreneurs, and presentations allow young people to develop essential social skills: effective communication, empathy, and active listening.
3. Connection with nature and the rural environment
Visiting businesses located in rural areas, learning about their history, understanding the challenges they face, and discovering the dedication behind these businesses generates a new appreciation for the rural world and its opportunities.
4. Development of creativity and innovative thinking
Each challenge is an invitation to think outside the box. Students learn to find creative and sustainable solutions, facing challenges that have no predefined answers.
5. Strengthening self-confidence and leadership
Stepping out of their comfort zone and facing diverse situations allows students to strengthen their self-confidence and develop leadership skills.
6. Time and resource management
Planning, prioritizing, and executing tasks within a specific timeframe is a fundamental part of the process. Students learn that every minute and every resource counts when working in a real-world environment.
Inspiring Testimonials
Likewise, one of the participants, from PR ULL Guía de Isora, reflected on his experience:
“This experience allowed me to gain a much deeper understanding of the reality of a rural municipality. I grasped the challenges they face, such as the lack of resources and the need to attract more residents, but also the opportunities they have to innovate and develop. Seeing firsthand how local entrepreneurs leverage their resources and creativity to overcome these difficulties was very inspiring and helped me appreciate the potential of rural areas even more.”
For her part, a local entrepreneur commented:
“I’m very happy with the Pueblos Remotos experience, as it has opened many doors for me and, above all, changed my mindset. Being immersed in the project, in my case on the farm, makes it difficult to know what other possibilities exist. The students who participated in the experience helped me by contributing new ideas. I see them as “new blood” coming to the farm; they come from other fields and are well-prepared, with more up-to-date ideas. This has helped me to propose new actions that I can improve and continue doing, which are not very costly but are very viable.” – Maria del Mar, founder of Finca Las Dulces.
For all these reasons, we conclude that “Pueblos Remotos Students” is much more than an educational project: it is a bridge between youth, academia, and the community. It demonstrates that when young people are given the opportunity to leave the classroom, connect with reality, and face concrete challenges, they become agents of change capable of transforming their environments.
The success of this third edition reaffirms the need to continue supporting these kinds of initiatives. Because investing in young people is not just an investment in the future, but also in a more engaged, creative, and sustainable present.
Currently, at Pueblos Remotos, we are exploring opportunities to replicate this type of experience in other locations at the national and European levels. Therefore, if you have any connections with or know of any educational institution that might be interested in this initiative, please let us know. Thank you very much, and we look forward to the next experience!
