Exploring the Learning Experiences of Adult Learners Majoring in Counseling and Welfare: A Case Study of K College

This study aimed to explore the inner transformations and meanings experienced by adult learners in junior colleges. To achieve this, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten adult learners enrolled in the Department of Counseling and Social Welfare at K Junior College in Gyeongbuk Province, selected through purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using Giorgi’s (2009) descriptive phenomenological method. The analysis revealed that adult learning experiences extended beyond acquiring knowledge or obtaining certifications. Instead, they emerged as a holistic journey involving self-recovery, identity reconstruction, relationship building, and the restoration of life direction. Based on the findings, six essential themes—(1)The Will to Reject Stagnation, (2)Finding a Path through Learning, (3)Times of Falling and Rising, (4)Quiet Resonance and Inner Growth, (5)Clumsy but Solid Solidarity, and (6)Small Steps toward Tomorrow—along with 24 sub-themes were identified. These results suggest that adult learning should be understood not merely as an educational activity, but as a practical process for life reconstruction and personal growth. Furthermore, this study highlights the need for tailored support systems and learning environments for adult learners in junior colleges and offers practical implications for future educational policy and program development for adult learners.