One of the most meaningful moments from my time abroad happened in Paris, when I watched the Eiffel Tower twinkle at night while lying on the ground with my friends. It was the off-season for tourists, so the area was unexpectedly quiet and almost empty. Instead of standing in a crowd, we were able to spread out and just lay there, looking up at the tower without distractions.
That night felt like the perfect ending to a day spent exploring some of the most iconic parts of the city. Earlier, we had wandered through the Louvre Museum, taking in its scale and history, and then made our way to Musée d’Orsay, where I loved seeing artwork I had only ever learned about in class. We also spent time in Montmartre, walking through its quiet streets and climbing up toward Sacré-Cœur, where we could see the entire city from above. Even though I have been to Paris before when I was younger, I experienced it much differently this time around.
By the time we reached the Eiffel Tower, we were exhausted from walking all day, which is why we thought that it would be best to watch the tower twinkle from laying on the ground. What started as a simple decision turned into one of the most memorable moments of my time abroad. When the tower began to sparkle, everything else seemed to fade away. It felt surreal to be in a place I had only ever seen from afar, now experiencing it in such a calm and personal way.
What made this moment even more impactful was the people I was with. Studying abroad has given me the chance to build friendships through shared experiences like navigating new cities, getting lost, and trying new things together. Lying there with my friends, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude not just for being in Paris, but for being able to explore the world alongside them.
This experience reminded me how fortunate I am to have this opportunity at this point in my life. It pushed me to slow down, be present, and truly appreciate where I am instead of always thinking about what’s next. I’ve grown more reflective and more intentional about how I experience new places. That night under the Eiffel Tower is something I know I’ll carry with me long after my time abroad ends.