Florida Tech graduate student Nicolas Dreyer plays soccer, while sophomore Valentin Riviere tees it up for the golf team.
Both students are studying abroad on Florida's Space Coast from their home country of France, and both were shocked when they learned about last Friday's terror attacks at the France–Germany soccer match.
"As soon as I heard, I Skyped with my parents and said, 'What's going on?'" Dreyer said.
"I had just received a text from a friend saying, 'Look at the news,'" Riviere recalled.
Both students were worried when they heard dozens were killed and hundreds were hurt when terrorists began firing and bombing the Paris stadium, as well as nearby restaurants and streets.
Riviere said he was relieved his sister, who lives in Paris, was out of town when the attacks happened.
"She got lucky," Riviere said. "She left on Friday afternoon with a friend, just for the weekend."
Dreyer's cousins also live in Paris. He said he was relieved to find out they were OK, and added he has seen several games in that very stadium.
"I've been, like, two or three times for soccer games and athletic events," Dreyer said.
Despite their different sports, Dreyer and Riviere are friends and countrymen. They said their respective teammates asked them if their families were fine.
Both said they are proud of their homeland, and despite their young age, both understand terror has no boundaries.
"I wish everything will get better in the future," Dreyer said.
"I'd say to everyone to visit Paris even though the terrorist attack happened. We don't want to be scared," Riviere added.