“Very nice” are words German Exchange student Colin Maseman used to describe his first impression of Hartselle, after arriving with 23 classmates and two chaperones for a 13-day visit April 2.

The students, all juniors at Robert Koch School in the City of Clausthal-Zellerfield, hit the ground running.

“It different riding in a car with a driver who is younger than you are and using a cell phone at the same time,” said Daria Tahmasebi. “You have to be 18 or older to get a driver’s license in Germany.

“I also was surprised to learn that many Americans have guns in their homes,” she added. “Most German families don’t own guns.”

They joined their student hosts at Hartselle High School on the first day, attending a full day of classes. Some of them watched softball, baseball, tennis and golf games or practice sessions after school.

“We played baseball and football and had a lot of fun,” Tim Niewand stated. “We don’t have many school-sponsored sports in Germany. I wish we had more.”

Colin Hasenau said the eating habits of Americans differ from those of Germans.

“Fast foods and drinks come in big sizes” he pointed out. “Your can even get refills on drinks at your leisure. I’ve also noticed that many Hartselle families go out to eat. In Germany, it customary for meals to be prepared and served in the home.”

A welcome to Hartselle southern-style dinner was featured in a host home that night. It consisted of smoked pork butt, salad, fried corn, bread, potato chips and dip, fresh fruit, cookies, tea and soft drinks.

A tour of the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham and lunch at the Galleria took place April 7, followed by a weekend of rest and relaxation with their host families.

The exchange students visited the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville April 7 and attended classes with their hosts April 8. They also toured the University of Alabama on April 9.

The highlight of their stay was a three-day vacation at Fort Morgan April 10-13.

Three students offered impressions of the Hartselle lifestyle as follows:

Other exchange students are listed as follows: Solveig Turschner, Anna Kliemas, Elina Eisenberger, Florian Eichtorn, Cara Schwindt, Sarah Blum, Max Eicke, Niklas Baumgarten, Nicole Finke, Tobias Gartner, Alexander Holiek, Merle Drottboom, Luis Koch, Max Knyrim, Jacqueline Heinrich, Tim Behfeld, Leonie Schroter, Sarah Orhan, Darsika Yoghalingham, Kpsj Knyrim and Kim Hanig.

HHS hosts were: Hanna Brown, Riley Corum, Stefanie Evans, Chase Gillot, Polly Glenn, Olivia Godsey, Zac Greeson, Holden Langston, Kelsey Nuss, Waid Miller, Connor Pheny, Bailey Powell, Harrison Pride, Ashton Quattlebaum, Virginia Rieger, Jorden Robinson, Hannah Sapp, Sloane Sittason, Madison Slaten, Mason Towers, Geoffrey Stout and Nihdi Vakharia.