Gap Year Fair Returns to Pioneer High 1/28/16

Ann Arbor: For Immediate Release
Gap Year is a trending conversation among families and schools, as many colleges are encouraging students to take a semester or year away. USA Gap Year Fairs is the premiere national circuit of gap year events. The fairs bring together over 100 organizations in total, averaging 40 at each fair that bring together programs, students, families, college counselors, and Gap Year experts. For students and parents interested in taking a Gap Year, these fairs are the legitimate source to connect with reputable gap year programs focusing on Education, Service and Personal Growth. Each fair features a presentation by a gap year expert. Local opportunities are listed below, as well as at: www.usagapyearfairs.org.
USA Gap Year Fairs is a not-for-profit started in 2006 by Dynamy, an internship-based gap year program in Worcester, MA. Over the past 9 years, the fair circuit has grown from 7 events to 35 events nationally with over 5,000 attendees. The popularity of the gap year is growing exponentially in the United States, and the demand for these fairs has increased dramatically, 294% in the last 5 years.
Gap year experiences can range from a semester at sea researching marine life to working at a unique internship in Africa, Asia, or South America, learning a new language to volunteering for a non-profit organization or working on an organic farm. Seamester Representative, Jake Steward, a 2009 Community High Graduate, recommends that,  "Taking time to learn in a non-conventional setting can enhance intellectual curiosity in the real world." 
These are just a few of the many incredible experiences you could learn about when attending the USA Gap Year Fair at Pioneer High.
Kathy Cheng, Director of USA Gap Year Fairs writes, “A gap year as an intentional period of time between completing high school and beginning college when a student steps outside the traditional classroom experience. This is a time to explore the world, reflect on their personal values and goals, and prepare to take the next purposeful step in life.
The USA Gap Year Fairs are an integral part to defining the gap year process, as they showcase the range of options a student can explore. Attending a gap year fair is a unique opportunity for students, families and counselors alike to learn more about a life-changing and often overlooked option. A gap year will increase focus, maturity, and motivation, which ultimately helps students as they enter college,” says Cheng.
We invite the public to the USA Gap Year Fair on Thursday, January 28, 2016.  Leading a panel of Gap participants at6:00 PM will be AAPS Counseling Chair, Wihi and Community High Counselor John Boshoven and Pioneer High School Counselor Colleen Creal. 
Thur, Jan. 28th
6:00-9:00pm
Pioneer High School, 601 W Stadium Boulevard, Ann Arbor, MI   John Boshoven, Speaker/Panel Moderator - 6:00-7:00pm
For more information about USA Gap Year Fairs and the entire schedule of fairs, visit www.usagapyearfairs.org or connect on Facebook and Twitter (usagapyearfair).
Contacts: John Boshoven, Chair, AAPS Counseling Department, (734) 994-2027 or boshoven@aaps.k12.mi.us or Kathy Cheng, Director │ kcheng@dynamy.org │27 Sever St, Worcester, MA│ 508-755-2571 x18