No one  can fail to notice the impact of international college youth working on the Outer Banks  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 college students are participants in the “Student Work Travel Program" (SWT), administered by the U.S. Department of State/Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs.

This program 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 many international students visit the Outer Banks to work and to learn about our country.

Day to day responsibility for these college students does not rest with the US State Department, however, but is the sole responsibility of each approved sponsoring agency. General oversight of the students' well-being; job, housing, transportation or medical problem resolution; as well as basic survival support is neither provided nor regulated by the US government or by state or local governments. This is where Pathways, by the grace of God, stands in the gap.  

The SWT Programs were originally established 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,

Under the SWT 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,from Thailand and the Philippines).

To participate in this program, students must work with a sponsoring organization approved by the State Department. The sponsoring organization is supposed to arrange their visa and travel processing - for a fee; ensure they are provided with medical and life insurance; provide them with basic information on the United States; and monitor their progress and well-being through the course of their stay in the United States. The best sponsoring organization will broker their employment and (less frequently) housing arrangements. Most do not help with the students' local transportation needs.  Some agencies are more dependable than others, which is why there is a need for an organization like Pathways. 

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. Other work visas are also available for short term work status. 

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 all of the students and for the business owners, locals, and tourists who visit the Outer Banks. 

Sponsoring Agencies