The Lifelong Learner: Inspired by an 80-Year-Old English Man.

When I was growing up in Somalia as a schoolboy, I always found learning fascinating. I competed with my friends for the top spot, sometimes securing it and other times coming second or third. Yet, throughout my primary, middle, and secondary education, I consistently stayed well above average and held the belief that I could achieve anything I set my mind to. Little did I know then that this belief had a name: “Epistemological optimism.”

After completing my secondary education, a year before the collapse of the Somali state, my plan to join the Somali National University at Lafoole and train as a teacher was disrupted by the civil war, much like thousands of other secondary school graduates who aspired to pursue higher education.

Four years later, finding myself in Europe with a disrupted education record, I never let go of my dream to pursue higher education.

In my early twenties and a stable environment, my priorities shifted towards vocational pursuits due to the situation in Somalia. Higher education was an expensive and challenging undertaking that required significant sacrifice. However, after four years of settling into a secure life, I decided to return to school and reignite my dream. It was 1999, and I was more mature and prepared, and I am now in my mid-twenties; therefore, I enrolled in a degree program, even though I had to work alongside my studies.

At the time, my aim was to complete my first degree and, if circumstances allowed, pursue a master’s degree before joining the workforce to earn a living. I believed that would mark the end of my formal learning journey. I was wrong.

Little did I know there was a concept called “lifelong learning,” emphasising the importance of continuous learning beyond obtaining degrees.

During my undergraduate course at university, I often visited my local library, which offered abundant well-stocked resources on various subjects. After attending lectures, going to work, and returning home, I frequently returned to the library, which had extended service hours and remained open until late at night.

Over time, I became a familiar face at the library, witnessing new faces come and go, but there was one constant presence.

Among the many people who frequented the library, there was an 80-year-old man I often encountered. He would sit quietly, engrossed in his study, surrounded by large and intimidating books. His dedication intrigued me, and after two years of sitting next to him without exchanging a word, I mustered the courage to ask what he was studying and why he spent so much time at the library.

To my surprise, this man defied the typical stereotype of the “stiff upper lip’’ of English people. He was happy to engage in conversation and answer my questions.

Our brief exchange went as follows:

Me: Sir, Greetings! I always see you here, immersed in your studies with those big books. What are you studying?

Him: I study many fields, mainly Theology, Philosophy, and Astrophysics.

Me: Is this related to your work? You don’t seem to have a job since you’re always here.

Him: No, I am retired. I completed my formal studies and earned my PhD in 1960. However, for the past 45 years, I have been utilising this library without fail.

Me: My head is spinning, trying to comprehend it all. A PhD in the 1960s retired 20 years ago and used the library for 45 years without missing a day. So, why do you dedicate so many hours to studying, especially when you’re already retired and seemingly comfortable?

He smiled and said, “Have you ever heard of ‘lifelong learning’? Learning never ends. When you stop learning, that’s the day you stop living.”

His words struck a chord within me, evoking a mix of emotions, hope, and inspiration. This advice became something I held close to my heart. The old man, whom I eventually lost contact with and who may have passed away by now, became an unexpected source of inspiration.

From that day forward, I understood that education and learning are not confined to the boundaries of formal degrees.

The pursuit of knowledge extends far beyond the walls of a classroom. Learning is a lifelong journey-Keep learning.