@daniel I did, and loved it. (I didn't go to university afterwards though).
It's a unique moment that I'm so glad I too advantage of. You don't really get a second chance to do something like that.
It shaped me in all sorts of ways!
I went for a free one, working for the PAIS Project (it was a few towns in the UK when I did it - now it's properly international).
I did schools and youth work for 12 months.
A brilliant, life defining year.
Andy B