No visitor to the Outer Banks can fail to notice the impact of international youth on the local service and retail economies. Every year our local businesses enlist the aid of a small army of bright, energetic and talented youngsters from many different countries. Their industriousness and enthusiasm clearly indicate their ability and desire to perform successfully in our economy. Local business leaders are virtually unanimous in their praise of these workers and to their critical value toward meeting our crucial tourist business demands.

The vast majority of these students are participants in the “Summer/Work Travel Program.” administered by the U.S. Department of State/Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs. This is one of thirteen State Department programs which use Exchange Visitor, or “J-1” visas. In 2005 the State Department issued over 150,000 of these visas nationwide. Under this program, each year over 2,000 international students visit the Outer Banks.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7

These programs were established by the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Public Law 87-256), also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The purpose of the law is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. To learn more about this program, see the State Department’s website, “Frequently Asked Questions about the Summer Work/Travel program. Government regulations pertaining specifically to the Summer Work/Travel category are also found at this State Department website. 

Under the Summer Work/Travel program, foreign university students may enter the United States to work and travel for a maximum of four months during the summer vacation period of their host/home country‘s normal academic calendar. After their work stay, they may remain in the U.S for an additional 30 days for non-work-associated U.S. travel.

During the busy Outer Banks summer season, the majority of program participants tend to be from Europe, especially Eastern Europe. During our winter, we receive students from Southern Hemisphere nations, who observe their “summer breaks” during the months of September through May. These students tend to be from Central and South America and Asia (particularly,Thailand and the Philippines).

To participate in this program, the students must work with a sponsoring organization approved by the State Department. The sponsor will arranges their visa and travel processing; ensure that they are provided with medical insurance; provide them with basic information on the United States; and, will monitor their progress and well-being through the course of the summer. The best sponsoring organization will broker their employment and (less frequently) housing arrangements.

In addition to our J-1 visitors, a lesser number of international students, who are full-time U.S. college students, visit us under the Student, or “F-1” visa category. These visas are valid for the duration of the student‘s program of study, which may extend for several years.  Many of these students also hold jobs in our local economy. More information can be found on this program at  this State Department website.

We are mindful that these curious, resourceful and adventurous travelers have made their way to this remote and relatively inaccessible area for our mutual benefit. During their stay they will form strong, lasting impressions of America that they will share with their countrymen for many years. Pathway’s goal is to help make this experience as positive as possible for them.