With more organisations than ever offering gap-year placements, you can find plenty of year-off options out there. Here are 12 top ideas, from rounding up rhinos to managing footballers, plus some independent options and a sprinkling of advice from the experts — people who took the gap-year plunge themselves.

All prices include initial training, accommodation with food and the backup services of the organisation. Unless stated, flights are extra. For more information on gap-year providers, try www.intervol.org.uk, www.yearoutgroup.org or www.gapyear.com/clearing

SAVE THE RAINFOREST IN BELIZE

This four-pronged placement from Trekforce begins with two months working on a conservation, scientific or community project in the jungles of Belize, for example helping to build a rainforest research centre. That is followed by a 5- to 10-day trek, before you cross into Guatemala, where you will spend four weeks living with a local family and intensively learning Spanish. Armed with the basics, you will then be set to work as a teaching assistant in a rural school. The project starts in January, lasts five months and costs £3,900.

Alternatively, you can teach in Malaysian Borneo (4 months, £2,450); help with scientific research in a rainforest reserve in Guyana (2 months, £2,590), and more. Contact 020 7828 2275, www.trekforce.org.uk.

MAKE THE NEWS IN MONGOLIA

The gap-year specialist i-to-i has availability on placements working for Ulan Bator Broadcasting. You’ll help to shoot and edit documentaries, work on the floor during newscasts and assist presenters with their English pronunciation and language. You can start in October or November, the project lasts for three months, and i-to-i charges £1,595.

Alternatively, you can teach English to monks in Nepal (4-12 weeks, £1,095- £1,495); feed hospital patients in Vietnam (2-12 weeks, £945-£1,695); or work as a journalist on a local paper in Bolivia (min 12 weeks, £1,795). Contact 0870 333 2332, www.i-to-i.com.

ROUND UP RHINOS IN NEPAL

Greenforce has places on a four-month project to preserve the habitat of rhinos and Bengal tigers in the Royal Chitwan National Park. As well as saving the forest, you will take lessons in Nepali and end the trip with a trek to Everest base camp in the Himalayas. You can start in October or January, and the fee is £3,200.

Alternatively, you can work on a reforestation scheme in Ecuador; carry out scuba surveys on the coral reefs of Malaysia’s Kudat Peninsula; or study pink flamingos in Zambia. All cost £2,300 for 10 weeks. Contact 020 7470 8888, www.greenforce.org.

HELP PREVENT HIV IN TANZANIA

Students Partnership Worldwide has places for people interested in working in health education for teenagers, using the mediums of sport, drama and debate. You can start in November or January, and the eight-month placement costs £3,500, including flights.

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