The purpose of this study is to focuses on four-year university adult learners by understanding their experiences in university from an insider perspective in order to find out what educational meaning university life gives to adult learners. In response, we conducted in-depth interviews with 15 adult learners by utilizing narrative exploration methods. Through the semantic analysis of qualitative data,the following findings were obtained: Adult learners have sequentially experienced the determination and conviction to go to university, the meaning of university life, and the expansion of university experience. This shows that adult learners experience holistic growth in the areas of knowledge(knowing) as well as in the areas of behavior, participation, and identity through university life. Accordingly,the practical suggestion to maintain and develop educational meaning for adult learners is that universities should participate in university life and create academic culture by providing support for adult learners to develop basic learning skills, orientation, mentoring, and consultation with professors.

adult learners , university life experiences , narrative study , lifelong education