Part 2 | Learning to drive

Talk about something useful that you have learned outside of school or college. Please say – What is it? – When and where did you learn it? – How did you learn it? – Who did you learn it from? And say why it was useful. Although the periods of school and college were times of great learning, I would have to say that I learned as much outside of school as I did inside it. However, I think the skill I learned  which has served me the most throughout my life thus far was one I learned while I was still a high school student, and that is learning how to drive. The area where I grew up in my country is rather sparsely populated and there are great distances to be covered, so knowing how to drive is crucial. I needed to attend lessons and activities after school which required transport by car, so it was imperative that I learn as soon as legally possible. My mother was my main teacher. In the evenings when she didn't have work, she would patiently take me around the streets of a nearby village, first explaining to me various functions of the car, proper driver behavior and rules of the road, for example, and then she let me try driving for short distances. When I felt more confident, the duration became longer until I was able to drive myself to the after-school activities under her supervision. When I felt ready, I sat my driver's test, got my license, and was officially allowed to drive on my own. Knowing how to drive has been a vital skill for me in that it allowed me to enjoy a plethora of experiences. For example, I was able to drive my friends and myself on our very first vacation without parents. Then, I started to drive myself to university so that I could earn my degree. Afterwards and even today, the ability to drive allows me to transport myself to work, so that I can make a living and support my family. Most importantly, however, I have to thank my mother for her patience and her courage to teach me this precious skill.