Article by Lisa Roberts

As an international student, studying in the United States is one of the most interesting opportunities you’ll have in your lifetime. Not only do you get to experience one of the most quintessentially Western cultures on the planet; but you also get to spend time in one of the biggest cultural melting pots in the world. After all, America is a nation built by newcomers - so no matter where you’ll go, you’re bound to feel some of that welcome spirit in this day and age as well!

Cool water, cool breezes, the smell of salt in the air and the sand at your feet. What better way to escape the Southern heat than at the beach? Isle of Palms is one of the most popular beaches in the Charleston area for tourists and locals alike. In order to protect the natural beauty of the island and keep beachgoers safe, here are the rules put in place for the beach by the City of Isle of Palms...

You may have never even heard of oyster shell recycling. But here in South Carolina it’s a thing. A big thing. In fact, South Carolina’s DNR – Department of Natural Resources – is counting on you to do so.

But more about that in a minute.

If you’ve spent much time here, you probably know how much the Lowcountry loves its oysters. They are a huge part of our local culture and a centerpiece of the classic South Carolina coastal party, the oyster roast. In fact, the world’s largest oyster roast (the Lowcountry Oyster Festival) just took place this past weekend at Boone Hall Plantation, where they served 80,000 pounds of them.

We want everyone to be able to enjoy their time at Folly Beach. In order for beachgoers to continue to enjoy a clean, safe beach environment, as well as to protect that environment and the wildlife, the City of Folly Beach asks you to please adhere to the following rules...

As an experienced Charleston tourist myself, I’ve come to realize that there are certain essentials everyone should know before diving into such a culturally rich city. While you are more than welcome to go unprepared and simply wander around the blazing sun all day, I would recommend following some of the guidelines I’ve put together for you down below.

Wear Sunscreen and Bring Water
Don’t let them fool you - Charlestonians may play off that the sun only “kisses their skin” or that they are incapable of sweating, but that is simply not true. The Charlestonian knows to apply sunscreen, how to pull off a floppy sun hat, and better yet, when it is time to rest inside an airconditioned area...