Where were you at the moment of the attacks?
‘I was with a friend in the stadium watching the France-Germany match.’
How did you feel when you heard about the attacks?
‘It was quite surreal. We heard the two explosions during the game but didn’t consider that to be an attack. We thought that this were maybe some fans outside the stadium but since the teams were playing without caring about the loud bangs and there was no announcement from the stadium commentator, we didn’t pay further attention to that.
Then, someone texted in the exchange students WhatsApp-group of my university about a shooting in the city. I was shocked in the first moment but didn’t connect this to previous explosions we heard. Since the stadium is located in the suburbs of Paris I didn’t see any relation to us and continued with watching the game until my mom sent me a message, asking where I am and whether I’m fine. After this I checked my news app and read about all the attacks. I felt so sad and just hoped that none of my friends were involved. From this point on, I couldn’t stop thinking about the incidents and didn’t pay any further attention for the remaining 15 minutes of the game.
After the game ended, there was an announcement about an incident without mentioning what exactly happened and that all the people were asked to leave at specific exits of the stadium. Despite these horrible news I didn’t feel in danger at that moment.’
Did you see anything? Or have you been in the area of the attacks?
‘We just heard but didn’t see the explosion. After leaving the stadium, the situation changed dramatically. All of a sudden there were security, police and also military everywhere around the stadium evacuating the people in specific directions. We thought that these were security measures due to the shootings but still didn’t think about the two bangs having anything to do with this.
We discovered many terrified people during our way to the train station. Young girls and women were crying, many fathers were desperately trying to escape out of the area with their young children in the arms. Arriving at the train station, we saw that there were about 30 soldiers blocking the gate. After 10 minutes of waiting we could pass with the whole crowd. Being in the train, I checked my phone for further information and started to realize what really happened in the city.
The most critical moment for me personally was when the train stopped at a big station in the city center and suddenly a whole group of people was running down the stairs to find shelter in the train. Inside the train many people started to panic if the group of people might be followed by some of the attackers. I was so relieved after the train left the station. For the rest of my way home, I noticed many football fans coming from the game, but everyone knew what happened and no-one was talking about football. Heads were going down and the silence in the train was scary. Shortly after midnight, I arrived safely at my apartment. I was even more grateful how lucky we have been after hearing that the metro and train stations were closed just a couple of minutes after we left with the train.’
Do you know people who got involved or injured?
‘Many people I know were close to the areas, where the shootings happened or in the stadium, like me. Luckily none of them were directly involved or injured. As far as I know there is even no student from my university injured.’
How is the situation/atmosphere in Paris?
‘The atmosphere is very depressing. On Saturday and Sunday, there were almost no people on the streets. Usually you see a vivid atmosphere with friendly people around. When I did my groceries on Sunday there was even a security man at the supermarket checking the bags of everyone coming into the store. On my way to school I pass the Eiffel Tower every day. Usually the metro is full with people and especially tourists on this part of the direction. Today there were just a few other Parisians next to me coming or going to work.
After arriving in Paris during the beginning of September, I noticed many groups of three weaponed soldiers controlling around the main sights, as well as at the airport and the big stations. From my first day at school I had to show my student card at the entrance to get into it, but after the first couple of days I got used to that. It didn’t evoke any feelings of danger being around, it was just normal to show the security guard at the entrance of the mall your bag if you wanted to drink a coffee at Starbucks after classes.
Today there were two security guards in front of the school and two more at entrance checking the id’s and bags. Especially many of the exchange students consider now to break off the semester and to go home.’
Do you feel afraid to go out?
‘Although I have been so close to the explosions, I don’t feel afraid to go out. Of course, the situation is quite worrying at the moment and the attacks are still present in my head. But when I’m outside on the streets, I can just see the pain in the people's faces, but I don’t recognize anything that gives me the impression to be afraid of something. My coordinator from the UT sent me a nice mail on Saturday morning with the opportunity to come back to the Netherlands if I don’t feel safe anymore. Certainly, I would do this if I were afraid to go out. Teachers at the university and people on the media encouraged us to go on as soon as possible with the everyday life to overcome these horrible events and that is what I want to do.’
Why are you in Paris right now? What are you studying?
‘I’m a third year Bachelor Student in International Business Administration doing my semester abroad at the Novancia Business School in Paris.’
