MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—On Aug. 4, 2025, nearly 300 international exchange visitors from more than a dozen countries were honored during the annual Exchange Day celebration at Myrtle Waves Water Park. The visitors are spending the summer in the Grand Strand under the U.S. State Department’s J-1 Summer Work and Travel program.
Exchange visitors are citizens of foreign countries that have been granted temporary stay in the country by the U.S. State Department. The traveling workers are mainly students, recent graduates, teachers or researchers seeking an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in America as they work in seasonal or temporary jobs and travel the country.
International exchange visitors enjoy a day at Myrtle Waves Water Park in Myrtle Beach, S.C., during the annual Exchange Day celebration on Aug. 4, 2025. Photo Credit: Visit Myrtle Beach
The fun cultural event is supported by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC), the City of Myrtle Beach and Lazarus Entertainment Group, owner and operator of Myrtle Waves Water Park and other major attractions.
“The Myrtle Beach area has a long history of embracing our global friends who contribute to our workforce and cultural vibrancy every summer,” said MBACC President Jimmy Gray. “Exchange Day gives us a chance to show our appreciation, make deeper connections and raise money for a local cause.”
Under the motto “Eat, Play, Give,” Exchange Day includes a charitable component. This year, to receive admission to the park, each participant made a $5 donation to Boys & Girls Club of the Grand Strand.
Along with park admission, participants received complimentary rewards including a picnic lunch from the International Residence Hall’s nonprofit International Angels, an Exchange Day T-shirt from Cultural Homestay International, and additional freebies and raffle items from MBACC, the City of Myrtle Beach, Camp Counselors USA and Intrax Inc.
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About Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau:
Since 1938, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC) has stood as the unified voice of the Grand Strand's business community — serving Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Loris, Atlantic Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Aynor, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded MBACC its five-star accreditation — one of only a few chambers in South Carolina to earn this distinction. Visit Myrtle Beach promotes tourism through various partnerships and initiatives to advance the economic success of the Grand Strand. For more information, visit MyrtleBeachAreaChamber.com, MyrtleBeachAreaCVB.com and VisitMyrtleBeach.com.