Parents and students set for Virginia gap year fair

High schools students in Fairfax County, Virginia, are to learn about the benefits of taking a gap year in a new education initiative.

Fairfax County Public Schools School Counselling Services has teamed up with Dynamy and Thinking Beyond Borders to run a fair for students considering taking a year out of education.

Young people, parents and teachers will be able to learn more about the opportunities available to those taking a gap year between high school graduation and university.

The fair is to be staged on the evening of Wednesday January 18th at Marshall High School between 18:30 and 21:00 local time, reports patch.com.

Travel authors Rae Nelson and Karl Haigler - who penned the book 'The Gap-Year Advantage' – will be among the speakers addressing attendees at the event.

Gap year organisations will also be in attendance at the fair, offering more destination and program information and advice to people contemplating a year overseas.

Local students are being encouraged to bring their parents along to the event and speak to as many gap year operators as possible.

Click here for gap year advice.