The airplane doors opened , and a soft breeze from Incheon airport drifted inside. Mia stepped out slowly, her camera bag slung over her shoulder, her curls tied back in a neat ponytail. She wasn't just visiting South Korea , she had worked for this moment
Her parents walked ahead, talking excitedly about the new apartment waiting for them in Seoul.But Mia paused for a second, letting reality sink in . The signs in Hangul, the distant hum of travelers , the soft echo of announcements she could barely understand , everything felt new, bright and little overwhelming .
She wasn't scared, though. She had helped make this move happen. Months of applications, paper works, studying Korean phrases late at night, and saving money from tutoring kids in her neighborhood. She's earned this.
As they rolled their suitcases through the airport, Mia caught a glimpse of her self in a glass wall : A black girl in a sea of unfamiliar faces, but she didn't feel out of a place. She felt like a blank page in a brand new sketchbook.
Outside, the air was crisp. The city skyline sat far in the distance, layered with mountains and soft clouds. Seoul. Her new home.
Her dad nudged her .
"You're ready , Mia"
She nodded with a small smile
"Yeah... I really am"
They climbed into a taxi, and as it sped toward the city, Mia pressed her cheek to the window. Neon signs passed by in flashes of blue and pink. People hurried along sidewalks. The world outside was moving fast, but Mia didn't mind. This was what she'd wanted — a chance to live somewhere different, breathe different air, learn something new.
When they reached their new neighborhood, Mia stepped out of the taxi and looked around. Small cafés lined the street, and a convenience store sat on the corner. Students walked past wearing uniforms she'd never seen before.
Her mom stretched and smiled.
"I think we're really here."
Mia lifted her camera and took her first photo in South Korea — of the street, the sky, and the beginning of everything.
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