The New World

Location: Paris, France
Date: August 2017
Photographer: Zihan Bai
Home Country: China
University Affiliation: Undergraduate Student
Category: People

In the artist's words: "When I travelled to Paris, this teenager just sits beside me on the plane. He is from Afghanistan, we were about the same age. He said he and his family spent all the money on the snake head to escape from their hometown to Europe, but he lost his parents in Turkey. He was approved by the French government to enter France as a refugee. He seems happy because he said he can go to the school arranged by the French government and do not need to pay for his accommodation costs. He also seemed disturbed when he saw the beautiful city view of Paris, he just looked at everything outside the window and mused. I took this photo by then. Through his eyes, I saw sadness, secrets, and hopes. After that, I felt I'm lucky to live in a country without war, and I felt I love my families more than ever."