Today is our last day in Cyprus, and I’m a little heartbroken, to be honest. I’ve made memories on this trip that will last a lifetime, and I’ve learned so much about a nation that I truly knew almost nothing about before coming here. I know one day I will return here, but until then, I’m definitely going to miss it. Anyway, the beginning of today was spent at the Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement Training Center (BSM). BSM is essentially a school that trains future ship captains and engineers. What’s so fascinating about this school is how integrated all of the training is with technology. This is more than just offering virtual classes; rather, they have simulators that simulate everything from doing engine repairs to commanding a vessel. Furthermore, these simulators also have a physical component, with a full bridge for captain training. What was exciting was that we got to watch a group go through an exercise where they were trying to steer a ship around Singapore’s harbor. The group that we were watching did not do well. They managed to run into a sandbar and beach the ship. What’s interesting is that the reason they failed is very applicable to business. They failed for two reasons, the first of which was tunnel vision. They got entirely focused on avoiding collisions with other vessels, and the captain failed to note that their depth was decreasing. This is applicable to business because managers can run into a real issue when they focus only on a single threat to their company while neglecting other potentially more serious threats. The other reason that they failed was a lack of communication, as one of their officers was watching the depth decrease but said nothing. This is why redundancy in business is important, as if they had two people watching in depth, then likely at least one person would’ve said something. Furthermore, it’s important to foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable speaking up if they see something wrong. What was also fascinating to listen to during this visit was the captain talking about the lifestyle of ship captains. They are often out on contract for months at a time, where they essentially never leave their vessel and instead are on call 24/7. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to maintain any relationships with this lifestyle; however, for many people, it is worth it for the sheer amount of money they can make. He also raised an interesting point about how it’s important to try out this lifestyle before fully committing, as many people realize that they simply cannot handle living like this. I definitely see the appeal of this life when you’re a young man, as it really is possible to go out and make a fortune before coming back to work on shore. This training center was fascinating to see, and it was extremely interesting to learn about the seaman’s lifestyle.

After a brief break, we loaded onto our bus and went to Omodos Village. This is a mountainous village that overlooks a beautiful valley. We were treated to an extremely nice lunch and then toured the monastery in the village. The monastery was extremely beautiful and was ordained in typical orthodox Christian style with simply breathtaking icons. What was equally fascinating about the monastery was the museum that they had. Their museum focused on the history of the village’s resistance against foreign invaders and the terrible cost that they have had to pay. What it served as a strong reminder of is the reason that people choose not to resist. Many of the people who resisted died horribly, with their families often dying also. This is a steep price to ask people to pay, but ultimately it must be paid if freedom is to be achieved. I wish that those who died could see what the village is now, as their dreams of independence and prosperity have been achieved. What was also fascinating to see was a priest walking around the village talking to people. I saw this priest just walk around and grab coffee, and he appeared to just have casual conversations with many of the people living there. This is extremely important to me, as I believe anyone in a position of authority should make sure they keep in touch with the common people.

After leaving the village, the final part of the day was spent at an alumni dinner. This dinner was extremely nice, and I spent almost the whole time talking to an alumni and his 14-year-old son. Talking to his son was very fun for me, as I felt as if I was talking to a younger version of myself, and I loved being able to answer all his questions about business. Sadly, after this dinner, we packed up for the airport and are currently leaving the country. I am sad to leave Cyprus, but I know the memories and friendships from this trip will last me a lifetime!