Over the past couple of weeks, we had the pleasure of welcoming our new batch of students at our Larnaca, Cyprus base as they begin their journey toward becoming pilots.

With an average age range of 18-20, I could easily see myself six years ago, standing in their shoes. Starting something new is always exciting for many reasons, but it also brings a lot of uncertainty.

Leaving your home country at a young age, starting fresh in a new place, and adjusting to a completely different culture can be overwhelming for many. When I left home at 18, I thought I was ready, but the reality was I wasn’t as prepared as I imagined. In fact, months into my journey, I found myself questioning whether I had made the right decision.

I remember during my first semester, I went back home at least four times, thought about quitting countless times, and often felt like I had hit my limit. But through it all, I always reminded myself why I started this journey in the first place.

Looking back now, having flown in four different countries, lived in three different cities, and met people from dozens of nationalities, I couldn’t be more grateful that I persevered and stuck to my dream.

To all of our students, and anyone else embarking on a similar journey: trust that this dream you’ve carried with you for so long was meant for you. If it has stayed with you all this time, cherish it, nurture it, and learn how to transform it into something extraordinary. It may not always be easy, and there will undoubtedly be moments when you question whether it’s worth it, but those moments are part of the process. The challenges you face are not setbacks,they are stepping stones to help you grow, learn, and become the person you’re destined to be.

Remember that you are not alone in this journey. The people around you, your classmates, instructors, and the entire team here, are all part of this experience with you. We are all here to support you, offer guidance, and help you through the tough times. Be there for one another, lean on each other when needed, and never hesitate to reach out for help.

The connections you make here, the lessons you learn, and the resilience you build will shape not just your career, but who you become as a person. So, embrace every challenge, celebrate every victory, and know that you are on a path that will lead you to incredible places. Keep believing in yourself, and trust the journey….you are capable of more than you can imagine.