During 2007/2008 around 200,000 young people from the UK aged between 17 and 28 will take a year out of their educational or vocational careers to work, volunteer or travel - doing something completely different for up to 12 months. This guide aims to bring together information and advice on structured employment, training or placement opportunities for gap year and graduate students planning a year out. The personal development benefits of a "Gap Year" are increasingly recognised and valued by both employers and academic institutions:

"UCAS believes that students who take a well-planned structured year out are more likely to be satisfied with, and complete, their chosen course. The benefits of a well-structured year out are now widely recognised by universities and colleges and cannot fail to stand you in good stead in later life"
Tony Higgins, Chief Executive, UCAS

The winner of a local election was throwing a victory party for residents of the baranguay in AlangAlang, in the central Philippines. He converted the basketball court to an outdoor banquet hall with music, tables and chairs, a stage for speeches and a feast that saw a whole cow spit-roasted over a fire. Jacqueline Wong, a 25-year-old volunteer health worker from Toronto, watched her neighbours party and felt she'd arrived in the Philippines. "It really opened my eyes to the sense of community," she says.

Wong is one of thousands of Canadians between 18 and 34 who take time out to volunteer, work or travel in other countries each year, under international youth programs made possible by federal agreements with about 40 other governments. Gap-year travel - or a trip before, during or just after college or university - is a time-honoured tradition. These days, many kids are choosing to combine it with paid or unpaid jobs....

Planning the perfect gap year travel experience is set to get easier with the launch of a new Facebook application, it has been revealed.

American Airlines have launched Travel Bag on Facebook Platform, allowing friends to share travel experiences and review attractions, restaurants and shops...