Reactions from three Richmond students in Europe impacted by the Paris terrorist attacks

Jacqueline Mone, junior studying abroad in Madrid who was visiting Paris when the attacks took place.

Being in Paris during the terrorist attacks was an extremely frightening experience, but I’m also so thankful that I was safe and in an apartment with eight other Richmond girls at the time. I believe that we were about a 15-minute drive from where the closest attacks were to us and we could hear sirens throughout the night while we stayed in, our eyes glued to the news live streaming on someone’s laptop. I can only imagine how much more terrifying it must’ve been for those who were actually out and witnessed the shootings and bombings, and for those who are residents of Paris and were forced to watch their own city under attack. We were out to dinner an hour or so before the attacks began, and we were about to leave our apartment again to go back out when we heard the news, so we were very lucky to have been home. My heart goes out to everyone affected by the horrific attacks in Paris and around the world on Friday. We went out and walked around on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning and it was uplifting to see the people of Paris out on the streets and to know that there were people creating memorials for those who died, and yet also eerie to see the Eiffel tower completely dark once the sun went down, out of respect and mourning for those who lost their lives.

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Arielle Siner, junior studying in London who was visiting family in France when the attacks occurred. She had been in Paris in the days prior to the attacks. She shared her reaction the morning after the attack.

I was at a community meeting with my family, and I was in the car to go back to the house when my mom's best friend heard on the radio that there had been attacks. We were also with someone whose daughter works for Stade de France, where an attack happened. Everyone pretty much broke out into tears, and my 5-year-old cousin had no idea what was going on. We went our respective ways about 20 minutes after finding out. and then I watched the news with them while I constantly texted my friends. Generally speaking, you don't really see anyone out and about. It's really weird because everyone is constantly checking the news and more than anything everyone is tense and anxious. I have my ticket booked to return to London tomorrow (Sunday) but I'm nervous about going back because as I type this message to you, we found out about an attack on a train also in France. It's also very nerve wracking since so many of my friends are in Europe and I'm anxious about any other threats or possible acts around the continent and in general. What's definitely weirdest for me is that my cousin who is five and a natural born French citizen is the same age that I was when 9/11 happened. It seems to me as though she doesn't quite understand what has happened but she definitely demonstrates very strong feelings about what she's overheard.

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Elle Moshova, junior who is studying abroad in Paris, but was in Prague when the attacks occurred.

As soon as I heard about the shootings I was in shock. I have always felt so safe in Paris, and to hear what happened broke my heart. Many of my friends were in lockdown in restaurants right near the areas of the shooting, and I can only imagine what they experienced that night. Republique, the area of one of the shootings, is a place I frequent most weekends and it's unfathomable to me that something so horrible could take place in a city I love so much. I can only hope that after this event, Paris will eventually feel safe again.