German community office, one-stop info shop for Americans

  • Published
  • By Capt. Erin Dorrance
  • 435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN Air Base, Germany (AFNEWS) --  International marriage, restaurant recommendations and utility bill interpretation are all daily topics at the German-American Community Office in Kaiserslautern.

The office, which opened in February 2003, is staffed by bilingual host nation civilians who have helped more than 10,000 German and American customers as well as representatives of other nationalities.

"It is an exciting job because you never know what the next question will be," said Sissi Koesling, a GACO host nation specialist.

Information regarding culture events, friendship groups and visa paperwork, are among the top interests, Ms. Koesling said. While several German customers are interested in getting information about renting homes to Americans and joining friendship groups.

"The people in the office were very friendly and helpful and made the renewal task fast and easy," said Maj. John Bell of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe financial management office. He and his wife visited the office for information on renewing their international driver licenses and for local area information.

Aside from facilitating questions at the office, the staff is very involved in community events.

The community office encourages and arranges for involvement in community events by the American population to include among others the World Cup this past summer, various clean-up projects, sponsorships for establishments for children with special needs and the Kaiserslautern Christmas Market, she said. 

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