Sara’s abroad in Paris, France, until Dec. 13.

Today marks the seventh anniversary of the tragedy that hit New York City, the United States and, in many ways, the world as a whole. A tragedy where thousands of innocent people lost their lives… where we were quickly catapulted into an entirely new way of existence. As Americans, this day represents a whole new beginning. We became immediately aware of our vulnerability and, at the same time, our viability as a country. We proudly waved American flags in celebration of the bravery of so many fellow Americans in the face of imminent danger. For us, it is a day to stop and remember our loss and to appreciate the courage that transpired in spite of the terror that threatened the US of A.

I knew that being abroad would bring a whole new light to this particular day. I was expecting France to acknowledge 9/11, if for any reason, because it significantly impacted world politics from that point forward. It wasn’t just two tall buildings that were touched, but in many ways, the entire globe.

However, with the falling reputation of the United States internationally, I was curious as to how the international community, especially France, would treat this day of remembrance.  I thought that France, a country that has been at odds with the United States on so many issues and who has suffered great losses of their own, might not be the most sympathetic country to our own tragedy.

So, when I saw the 9/11 memorial exhibit at the Normandy Memorial Museum, I have to admit I was a little surprised. But at this place where Americans fought to liberate a foreign country, it seems fitting that our loss is felt. And, this might sound corny, but it became very apparent that that museum was not about French loss or American loss, but the loss of mankind.

After wandering through the halls dedicated to World War II struggles and the destruction it brought to the people of Europe, I ventured on to the striking wall of metal that read in stark red font: September 11. While I said before that the exhibits here are not about nationality, I’ll admit I was curious about how the French would present the remembrance of a day I think most Americans have yet to fully internalize, despite the seven years that have passed.

In many ways, I think it is just too soon for us to fully recognize the encompassing significance of Sept. 11. Sure, Flight 93 was a movie. And yes, most of us can look at the New York City skyline without a sharp pain. But there are so many aspects of our lives that are forever changed due to the events that took place in a matter of minutes. The way we travel, the way we listen to the news, the way we feel when we’re in a high-rise building, the way we feel when we glance down at our cell phone and find that it reads 9:11… all this has dramatically changed because of that day. So, I think that maybe it is just too soon for us to commemorate that day in such a visible way because we all are still living it.

But across the pond, it is not a thread of everyday life as it is for us. And so they see 9/11 with fresh eyes, the unique eyes of onlookers and participants. Because French people died on that day, too. And as I said before, the French are affected by the shift in global politics, as well.

And so entering the exhibit, I immediately felt a wave of emotion as an American seeing scenes from far away that had been replayed repeatedly ever since that fateful morning. The first floor detailed the terrorists, faces we saw flashed on nightly news for months. Followed by a panoramic view of the majestic skyline before the towers fell. I thought it was particularly interesting that so many other onlookers looked just as affected, and amazed, as I did, or felt. Foreign tourists and Americans alike looked in awe as we relived the destruction that this group of radical men brought.

Symbolically, the next segment of the exhibit was upstairs in a tower-esque formation with three separate rooms. One was dedicated to the actual planes that crashed, with real remnants from the aircrafts; the second to the French citizens who were either on board the planes, lost in the crashing of the towers, or broadcasting from France about the events ensuing overseas.  That second room was a strong reminder of the global effect of 9/11. It was heart-wrenching to see a wall recreated of missing persons photos, like those in New York, but with all French writing. And finally, the third room was by far the most moving. This central room was filled with photos taken as the planes hit and footage of the towers falling. And I think that most Americans that stepped into that room and watched the towers fall surrounded by pictures of civilians covered in dust and firemen walking out of rubble, were immediately transported back to where they were when they first heard what was happening in New York City. I know I was.

So as most of you back home are probably watching the news and remembering, just keep in mind that we’re not the only ones who stop and think about the tragedy that hit our country that day. It’s felt as far away as France, and probably even further. And while there are so many benefits about studying abroad, I think being exposed to the compassion of another country is probably one of the greatest things I’ll take away from this experience.

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