My first experience driving a manual transmission was during my 2nd year at FSU; I'd taken a knee to the face in a collision in an IM soccer game, had a couple of loose teeth that needed a root canal, and the oral surgeon was on the far side of town from campus. I didn't have a car, the guy who was supposed to bring me no-showed, and I happened to catch a fraternity brother on the way to class. He tossed me the keys to his sports car, and off I went.
As my fellow Noles can attest, Tally is not a good place to learn how to drive a stick; it's damn hilly. I had the misfortune to have to stop at the redlight at the corner of Tennessee & Bronough (by the old, round Holiday Inn - the steepest hill on that stretch of road)...then have a $%^!%^$$^ TalTran Bus come right up behind me, pulling up close because obviously anyone in that sports car was coming off the light quick. I stalled it out a couple of times, then damn near got whiplash as I finally got going. Was far more careful the rest of the way to slow down & time lights to avoid stopping.
By the time I got there I'd gotten the hang of it, and hauled ass on the way home, face still numb from novacaine & high on painkillers. Not sure why the doctors office let me drive, nor why Chuck let me drive his damn car knowing I was going for a root canal.
First car I bought after college was a stick, a Subaru XT Turbo coupe; loved driving it & taught my now-wife how to drive a manual with it. That's the last manual vehicle I've owned.