Former Weedsport Foreign Exchange Student Checks in From Paris

On Friday November 13th  2015, Paris was hit with a series of ISIS terrorist attacks throughout the city leaving well over 100 citizens dead and hundreds more injured. The locations targeted include Stade de France (sports stadium where tons of people gathered to see the French vs. Germany soccer match), The Bataclan (where the band Eagles of Death Metal was performing for the sold out venue) and various restaurants (Le Carillon, Le Petit Cambodge, La Belle Equipe, Cafe Bonne Bière,and Comptoir Voltaire). This mass murder has led to tragedy, chaos and has greatly affected the people of France. In an effort to show our condolences and support the U.S. has reached out to France in numerous ways.

I personally have made sure to contact one of my good friends Josephine Semailie who lives in Saint-Cloud, France, only about a half an hour away from Paris itself. She shared with me her story about living in France in this time of terror and how she and the people around her have been influenced by the crisis at hand.

Josephine and I met the summer of 2014 when she came and stayed with my family through a foreign exchange student program. She lived with us for two weeks and we showed her around America and even stayed on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls for a few days. When I was informed of the acts of terrorism taking place in Paris, having a close friend over there obviously created a further concern.

At the time of the invasions Josephine was actually in Paris. She was at a bar watching the same soccer match the terrorist invaded. The explosions could be heard through the T.V. though she was not made aware until after the fact what had taken place. She received a phone call from a friend telling her to return home and turn on her T.V to see what was taking place. Her T.V stayed on all night with her eyes glued to it.

Shock and fear remained on her mind for her loved ones affected. Those of which include her uncle and boyfriend who were both located in République, ten minutes from Paris. Her uncle, a veteran of the military was tragically killed in one of the attacks. As for her boyfriend who was located in a bar near the Bataclan had seen the shootings that took place. Being a firsthand witness to the mass murder that took place will have a lasting impact that no one should have to carry with them.

For the entirety of the weekend Josephine watched the news to have a better understanding of the catastrophe her country is going through. However because of her father’s involvement with the military as well Josephine probably has a better understanding than most teenagers her age about what is going on between France and Syria to begin with.

When it comes to America’s support for France Josephine stated, “The whole world has been so supportive with us, it was amazing, American too… I’ve seen all French flags in American’s profile pictures and it was really sweet, even messages, thank you for all your help. This year will remain in the French minds.”

This weekend was described by Josephine as “The saddest weekend I’ve ever had in my entire life.”