HubPages.com blogger Simone Smith has published a guide to gap year travel and volunteering, which aims to help people “get on track for a successful, functional and enjoyable year off.”

While there are many ways to spend a gap year, Simone claims that volunteering abroad gives you the chance to “make a wonderful impact on the environment, a community, or even just one person”.

Those considering a gap year should first determine their goals for the trip. Once they have some idea of where they want to go and what they want to do it is important to research potential programmes and find which one suits them best. After this all that is left to do is apply for your placement and prepare to make the most of your gap year abroad!

To make your gap year truly worthwhile Simone also recommends that you think about and prepare for the end of your gap year. Whether you plan to go back into education or find a permanent job you should set an end date for your time off and make sure that you meet any relevant deadlines.

Read the full gap year volunteer guide.

Download the Inspire volunteer abroad guide by visiting our Facebook page and signing up under the ‘Free Guide’ tab.