Falk Handt has enjoyed just about everything on his trip to the United States — except root beer.

"It was OK, but too sweet," he said. "Most of the things here are too sweet."

Handt, 17, along with Jim Hoskens, 16, is visiting the U.S. from Porta Westfalica, Waterloo's sister city in northern Germany. Every year, Waterloo exchanges students with Porta Westfalica as part of Sister Cities International, an offshoot of a program launched by President Eisenhower in the 1950s to encourage international relations. This year marked the 29th exchange.

"There have been a lot of friendships made," said student exchange coordinator Debbie Cummins. "Almost any time of year you'll find Germans over here and Americans over there."

Handt and Hoskens have seen many of the region's typical tourist destinations. They spent time in St. Louis visiting the Gateway Arch, art and history museums. Handt sat in on a City Council meeting last week and met some of Waterloo's officials. Hoskens' host-brother Mitch Boehm was hoping to take him to Hooters.

"It gives us the chance to show off the more unique aspects of our area," said David Naber, a senior at Waterloo High School whose family is hosting Handt.

The students arrived in Waterloo Aug. 2 and will stay until the end of the month. They've begun noticing some trends about American families.

"Everybody has a lake in their backyard, and a few cars. Like a truck and a little car to go to work," Hoskens said, who is staying with the Boehm family in Waterloo. "It's kind of what I was expecting, like what I saw on TV."

Handt said the trip has been educational.

"I thought it would be interesting to see the everyday life of people in America and interesting to learn about Waterloo because the Germans came here to live," he said. "It's American history but it's also part of Germany."

In many ways, Waterloo is very similar to Porta Westfalica. Both are small, rural communities. In other ways, they are very different.

"It's all fast food here," Hoskens said. "But I love it."

His favorite eatery so far is Bully's Smokehouse in Columbia. Handt said he sampled just about every fast food burger in the states on a road trip to Memphis with another host family.

Both students said they hope to return to the states, perhaps to attend school. They've enjoyed the hospitality.

"Everyone," said Hoskens, "is open-hearted."

Contact reporter Sarah Baraba at 618-344-0264, ext. 105

Waterloo and Porta Westfalica

• Cities became bonded after a Waterloo woman traced her genealogy to Porta Westfalica

• Sister city board of directors selects two Waterloo students to participate each year

• German students stay with multiple families during visit

• Program started Porta Westfalica Festival in honor of sister city