The first glance of reality
736 Words
The morning came too quickly.
Mina barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw flashing airport lights, unfamiliar Korean signs, and Sofia’s excited grin echoing in her mind.
Sofia, however, was already awake.
At exactly 7:03 a.m, loud Spanish pop music filled the room.
"WAKE UP, FUTURE FASHION ICON!" Sofia declared dramatically.
Mina groaned into her pillow.
"Please… let me become an icon tomorrow."
But she sat up anyway, today mattered.
Today was the first real step into the life she had fought for.
The campus looked even bigger in daylight and no longer felt like a pretty scene from a taxi window. It felt real, solid and Intimidating.
Students moved confidently in small groups, dressed in styles Mina had only seen in fashion editorials oversized blazers, structured skirts, platform boots, sleek monochrome outfits.
Very effortless and Intentional
Mina suddenly became hyper-aware of her outfit, High-waisted jeans, a white blouse with a soft beige cardigan.
Safe, Too safe? She swallowed.
"You look elegant," Sofia said, adjusting Mina’s sleeve, “Very quiet luxury.”
Mina forced a small smile, “It works,You look intelligent.”
That helped a little.
The fashion building was alive.
Mannequins stood near glass walls and Fabric swatches were pinned like trophies along hallways, Sketchboards displayed bold, dramatic concepts.The air smelled faintly of fabric dye and ambition.
Their first class was titled:
"Design Theory & Visual Identity".
Mina and Sophia chose a seat in the middle row, not too visible and not invisible.
Students spoke rapidly in Korean around her. She caught fragments, but not enough to follow entire conversations.
Her fingers curled slightly into her notebook.You wanted this so handle it.
The professor entered without announcement.
Tall, Composed, and in Silver-rim glasses.
"Welcome," he said in fluent English,“This program is not for the weak.”The room fell silent.
"You are here because you are talented. But talent is common and discipline is rare."
Mina straightened, she had discipline.
Introductions began.
Name, Country, Why fashion?
Students spoke confidently.
"Lee Hana, Seoul, Fashion is in my blood."
"Kim Jisoo, Busan, I want to redefine minimalism."
Then, "Mina Adeyemi." She stood.
The air shifted.
"Nigeria," she said clearly. "I believe fashion tells stories and I want to tell stories people haven’t heard yet."
There was a small pause.
A boy at the back whispered something in Korean, Soft laughter followed, Not loud but enough.
Her chest tightened.
The professor tilted his head slightly, “And what stories would those be?”
Her heart pounded, don’t shrink,
You didn’t cross continents to shrink.
"Africa is often misrepresented," she said steadily. "I want to merge cultural depth with modern structure. I want global fashion to see us as creators, not just inspiration."
The room got quiet but the same boy leaned forward again, this time louder.
"Does Africa even have fashion schools?"
Sofia’s jaw dropped beside her.
For a split second, Mina felt twelve years old again standing in a classroom back home, trying to prove she deserved her scholarship.
Her palms grew warm and this was the moment.
She could laugh it off or she could claim her space.
She turned around calmly, “Yes,” she replied in careful Korean, her accent present but firm. "We do. And some of them are older than your assumptions."
Silence, the boy blinked.
He hadn’t expected her to understand.
A few students shifted uncomfortably, one girl in the front row nodded slightly.
The professor adjusted his glasses.
"Good," he said. "Debate is welcome. Ignorance is not,"then the lesson continued but something had changed and Mina felt it. She wasn’t invisible anymore.
After class, Sofia grabbed her arm the second they stepped outside.
"That was ICONIC."
"I was shaking," Mina admitted.
"You didn’t look like it."
They walked down the hallway, blending into the crowd except they weren’t blending, A few students glanced at Mina differently now, Not mockingly but curiously and evaluating.
She inhaled slowly, this place would test her every day but maybe she was built for that.
As they exited the building into the open courtyard, Mina paused for just a moment and the wind moved through her hair gently.New country, new school, new rules but the same Mina.
She looked up at the towering fashion building."I can do this" she whispered under her breath.
They headed back to the dorm as they didn't have any other classes for the day.
- Writer
