Mohannad Bshiwa

My family always wanted me to become a pilot. Now, after living six years abroad to make their dream come true, I'm "the pilot who doesn't fly."

My name is Mohannad Bshiwa. I'm a pilot and a fitness trainer.

I left Libya to study Civil Aviation when I was 18 years old. Even though I was very young back then, I made my first solo flight that same year.

During that stay, time was somehow flying by so fast. At first, I thought I was just overwhelmed with study, so I tried to adjust my routine, but nothing changed. After some time, I realized that the reason behind this feeling was actually depression.

As a teenager, I couldn't overcome the culture shock and get involved in a foreign society easily. It was hard for me to accept the cultural differences and that worsened my depression and loneliness. I was studying a prestigious major and living the dream of so many people, yet I was unhappy. Eventually, I decided to let go of my major and break the trap of blame.

I love sports of all kinds, so I became a fitness trainer with a focus on muscle balancing. I also aim to promote a new sport in Libyan society in the future.

Over the past four years, I regained much of my lost happiness and I will keep doing and trying everything I love. It doesn't matter whether I succeed or fail. After all, failure enhances the chance of success. With every experience, I will feel happier and more confident about what I want to do.

I must confess that making a career change and quitting my major was not the wisest choice, especially during the current circumstances. But, who knows? Maybe I will get back to the cockpit after all I've been through.