HIBBING - Public officials, city administration and board meetings... that's what four women from the Irkutsk region in Russia are interested in studying on the Iron Range.

Hosted by the Hibbing Rotary Club and assisted by an interpreter, the Open World delegates, who are public officials themselves, are in Minnesota for eight days.

"I was very interested in seeing the United States from the inside... and how, in reality, your democracy works," said Natalia Kozyreva, a deputy chief of labor relations in Irkutsk.

And for the four women, the differences between the two countries' governments couldn't have been more clear.

"Yes, there are many differences in the organization and structure of local governments," said Kozyreva. "Still, I cannot say that our system is a lot worse. They're just different and the mentality regarding them is different."

"This is a wonderful group. They're so inquisitive," said Tim Kaminski.

Kaminski is a chair of the Rotary International's U.S.–Russia Inter–Country Committee.

Kozyreva thinks the committee's mission to bring the two countries together is crucial.

"I believe it's imperative that we have great friendships with the Russian people," said Kaminski. "There's only two countries on the earth that have the capability of destroying each other and that is Russia and the United States. We need to be friends."

Meeting with the Hibbing Rotary Club, the delegates answered questions about government in Russia, what they do there and what they hope to bring back home.

"I really liked the way of fundraising of the United Way," said Kozyreva.

To continue the friendships started here in Hibbing, Kaminski plans to partner with the delegates on future projects.

Helping two countries understand each other better is the main reason these women came to the Iron Range.

And while differences are apparent, the Iron Range and Russia have one thing in common.

"The weather in Hibbing and in Minnesota is very similar to how the weather is in my town," said Kozyreva.

Before coming to Hibbing, the delegates spent two days in Washington, D.C.

They leave the Iron Range on Sunday.