Find Your Path at a
USA Gap Year Fair
Explore global opportunities and gain access to expert guidance, resources, and top programs—all in one place at a USA Gap Year Fair.
Why attend a USA Gap Year Fair?
Whether you're exploring a gap year, summer programs, internships, or other experiential learning opportunities, the USA Gap Year Fairs are your chance to meet program leaders, ask questions, and get insider advice all in one place.
Discover programs that fit your goals and leave with confidence to design your dream gap year.
Talk to gap year experts, seek counseling, and connect with alumni to make your year intentional and unforgettable.
Learn about financial aid options, scholarships, and tools to plan your gap year and stay on track.
Make the world your classroom
Life's biggest lessons don't always come with a syllabus. Whether you're dreaming of volunteering on a conservation project in Costa Rica, learning Japanese in Japan, or interning at a startup in Germany, a gap year is your key to transformative growth. Ready to take the next step towards your most exciting chapter yet?
Upcoming USA Gap Year Fair events
Since 2007, USA Gap Year Fairs has partnered with US high schools to educate, inspire, and empower students to pursue opportunities for experiential learning.
Join us in person or online at an upcoming event. If you're interested in hosting an event for your community, contact us at fairs@gooverseas.com.
What attendees are saying
Hear from past attendees about their experience at USA Gap Year Fairs
"The fairs gave me the confidence as a parent to pursue a gap year program for our daughter, knowing they were safe, structured, supportive, adventurous, organized, and educational."
"For all of high school, I knew that I wanted to take a gap year. The fair is a great way to see options that many people have probably never been exposed to!"
"I loved learning about the benefits of taking a gap year and learning that it wouldn't hurt my future college goals, but actually enhance them."
Meet our keynote speakers
Learn from industry-leading gap year counselors and advisors who have guided thousands of students on their journeys.
Holly Bull has 40 years of experience guiding students and adults through the gap year process. As president of the Center for Interim Programs, the nation’s first independent gap year counseling service since 1980, she continues to expertly place individuals in meaningful, vetted programs.
Julia Rogers is a leading gap year expert with over 17 years of experience helping students design meaningful, transformative pathways. As founder of EnRoute Consulting and former President of the Gap Year Association’s Board, she is a nationally recognized advocate for experiential learning.
Jason Sarouhan has 25 years of experience supporting students in experiential education worldwide. As co-founder of J2Guides and a former wilderness and travel guide, he brings expertise in leadership, risk management, and adventure-based learning to shape every student’s gap year.
Jane Sarouhan has been a trusted expert in gap year and experiential education for 30 years. Co-founder of J2Guides and an accredited Gap Year Association counselor, Jane's authentic and engaging approach has built a network of families, programs and professionals worldwide to support gappers in planning intentional, fun and growth-filled gap years.
Discover global opportunities
Explore trusted organizations, chat with reps, and find the experience that fits you most at our in-person fairs!
Uncover the soul of Central America on a journey of growth, culture, and connection. Over 10...
Founded in 1969, Dynamy Internship Year is one of the most established gap programs in the...
Ready to push your limits, explore South Africa, and discover who you really are? At Warriors...
The Irish Arts & Culture Program offers students the chance to explore and develop their...
Spend a full academic year abroad with EF—24 weeks of cultural immersion, travel, and growth...
Trek in the shadows of the world's tallest mountains, study Buddhism and practice meditation at...
Learn Spanish in Barcelona with EF Language Year Abroad—an immersive, multi-term journey...
Win $5,000 towards your gap year!
Every year, we award a gapper with a $5,000 scholarship plus 1:1 mentorship to plan and take their dream gap year!
Essential gap year resources
Dive deeper with guides, planning tools, and program directories curated by the USA Gap Year Fairs team.
Register for upcoming in-person and virtual events in your city.
Unsure how to spend your gap year? Take our quiz to find your perfect program!
Filter by destination, interest, and length to build your dream gap year.
Step-by-step advice on timelines, logistics, and making the most of your time off.
A gap year is a purposeful break where you step away from traditional academics to focus on real-world learning. It’s about gaining clarity, building skills, and discovering what truly motivates you.
Taking time off between school or the start of your career is NOT time wasted. This time lets you build confidence, explore career paths, and return to school or work with renewed focus and purpose. This is why so many refer to a gap year as a "launch year" or a "year-on".
Many are surprised to learn that a gap year can boost college success! In fact, according to a study done by the Gap Year Association, 90% of students who take a gap year return to university (https://tinyurl.com/4uy2bvcd), often with more confidence, clarity, and motivation to succeed.
Not at all! You can take a few weeks, months, or even alternate time off between school or work. Programs exist for every scenario!
A well-planned gap year is an investment in yourself. It helps you enter college more prepared—socially, academically, and personally. Students who take a gap year are less likely to switch majors, often graduate faster, and typically have higher GPAs than their peers.
Yes! Gap year providers commonly offer scholarships. Go Overseas & the USA Gap Year Fairs also grant $5,000+ in gap year scholarships each year! Students who attend a fair also receive a bonus point toward their scholarship application—all the more reason to attend!
Yes! Some gap year programs partner with universities to offer courses for credit, often mapping to general education requirements so you can stay on track for a four-year graduation.
A gap year can be whatever you make it. You might travel, volunteer, intern, learn a new language, start a creative project, or explore a career path. The key is choosing experiences that challenge you, teach you new skills, and help you grow.
If you’re feeling worried about choosing the right option or feeling overwhelmed by questions, this is the perfect event for you. At a gap year fair, students and families can connect directly with program providers, ask questions, and get personalized guidance from experts. These fairs make it easier to find the right fit, explore opportunities confidently, and plan a path that truly sets you up for growth.
Yes! Feel free to invite others to attend the event. The more the merrier! If they are searching for gap year options themselves, just be sure to have them register on Eventbrite so they have their entry ticket, or they can register at the door. Otherwise, +1s are welcome to walk in at the door.
