Maybe you feel burned out after high school or college, or you just can't imagine spending another year in distance education.Maybe you're curious about exploring an extracurricular passion, or maybe you're just ready for an adventure.Whatever inspired you to consider a gap year, there is a gap program to help you reach your goal, and the USA Gap Year Fairs are here to help you.
For 14 years, USA Gap Year Fairs has worked with U.S. high schools to educate, inspire and empower students to think outside the classroom and take advantage of experiential learning opportunities.In 2022, we've transitioned our in-person fairs to a virtual format to make planning a gap year even easier during the global health crisis.
The fairs usually begin with a presentation by an accredited gap year advisor who explains the benefits of a gap year, the basics of gap year planning, and some of the options available to students.Next, students, their families and educators are invited to meet with gap year program providers and explore the incredible variety of experiential education opportunities available.
Gap Year 101
Who takes a gap year?How to plan a gap year?What type of gap year is right for you?
These are all important questions that can be intimidating for families new to experiential education.Fortunately, there are advisors who have made it their mission to support students and their families during the gap year.Much like college advisors, these professionals know the gap year field inside and out and are prepared to help you plan time off that best suits your individual interests and goals.
Meet USA Gap Year Fairs advisors at our 2022 "Ask an Expert" crash course!
Meet the programs
Whatever your interests, skills and goals, there is a perfect gap year program to help you have the educational experience of a lifetime.Below is a brief overview of the types of programs you can participate in during your downtime.
Gap year as career exploration: teachings, internships, & work exchanges
Build your resume with a semester or a year of work experience.Meet with providers who offer a variety of national, international and virtual opportunities to build your confidence, develop your skills and collaborate with teams around the world.
Learn more about which degree programs offer career development opportunities in our career exploration topic panel:
Gap Year in the Wild: Outdoor Experience & Adventure Travel
Whether you want to study indigenous cultures while camping in the Pacific Northwest, earn Wilderness First Responder certification while climbing in the Southwest, or learn to scuba dive in the Caribbean, here's your chance to explore your options for adventure.
Learn more about what programs take you deep into the wilderness in our outdoor experiences and adventure travel topic forum:
Arts abroad: Gap Year in the Arts
Dream of taking a year off to pursue your passion for arts and culture?Work with other young artists to develop your skills, and study art theory and history while enjoying a view of the Irish countryside or wandering through galleries in Italy to immerse yourself in living history.
Learn more about your opportunities to immerse yourself in the arts in our themed panel on gap year arts programs:
College credit & language learning during gap time
Are you tired of online learning but afraid of "falling behind" your classmates?Learn how you can conduct research at sea in 2022, learn Mandarin in China, or trek through Latin America or Oceania – all while earning college credit.
Learn more about how to think beyond the classroom in our topic panel on college credit and language learning while on sabbatical:
Gap year in sustainability, conservation, & social justice
More than ever, young people want to be passionate about meaningful action.If you dream of learning from strong mentors and driving positive change during your gap year, consider joining a gap year cohort that will help you build leadership skills.
Learn more about how to make the most of your time away and make a difference in our sustainability, environmental and social justice themed panel:
Conclusion
A gap year is about stepping out of your comfort zone and off the beaten path, and that can be overwhelming.You've just been through the grueling process of college applications, and it's intimidating to deal with hundreds of gap year programs, travel insurance, college deferments, budgeting, and all the other unexpected details that come with planning a year of experiential learning.
If you are ready to start this process, we are here for you.Browse the archives of articles and guides, check out our recordings of the 2022 U.S. Gap Year Fair, or download the 2022 Program Guide for more information.If you want to plan ahead and stay up to date on our upcoming virtual event series and annual scholarships, you can sign up for our mailing list here.
Good luck on your gap year journey!