Mayor Jann Jakobs welcomes four students from Potsdam’s sister city Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Today, in the city hall, mayor Jann Jakobs welcomes four students from Potsdam's sister city Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Sarah Gusowski, who has lived in Potsdam since 2007, already feels like a native of the city, whereas Pamela Hoffmann is feeling melancholic towards her return to the Mid-West of America next Saturday. For two other American students, Zach Morris and Claire Fisher, Potsdam is their temporary home until July 2009. Until then, they are studying at Potsdam's University.

All four are graduates or attend Augustana College in Sioux Falls. Sarah Gusowski already graduated and met her husband Markus in her hometown, who was an exchange student in Sioux Falls from Potsdam in 2005-2006.

While meeting with the mayor, the young people reflected on their experiences in Potsdam. Pamela Hoffmann, who had a 4-week internship in the Marketing/Communication Department, and worked on the English version of Potsdam's city website. She gushed about the city, "I had a lot of time to discover the city on my own with an iTour. I have seen Sanssouci, went on a city tour, and met a lot of friendly people. When I get back home, I will highly-recommend the city," said the sympathetic 21-year-old, who studies English and Communication Studies in Sioux Falls. Hoffmann worked with Juliane Kratzat, a trainee in the Marketing/Communication Department of the city of Potsdam. With supporting Hoffmann, Kratzat is fulfilling her curriculum requirements of working with the Internet and international guests.