IT IS far from the typical trip students take after they finish high school, but Gymea's Mitchell Szczepek, 17, hopes to inspire future young Australians to follow his lead.
The recent St Patrick's College Sutherland HSC graduate swapped an end-of-year celebratory holiday for voluntary work with an overseas orphanage.
He will travel to Nepal in July where he will spend five months with the International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) organisation.
The organisation has provided volunteer abroad programs in 30 countries since 2007.
It offers projects for travellers, including those who want to take a gap year in disadvantaged communities in the areas of teaching, medical, construction and renovation, and wildlife conversation.
Mitchell will volunteer in childcare in Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara.
"I was originally heading over to Fiji to drink and have fun with my friends when I realised there would be other great opportunities out there where I could contribute instead of being constantly intoxicated," he said.
"Going away for a week of drinking didn't sounded appealing.
"I thought I could find a more productive way to celebrate my end of secondary schooling.
"And I'm excited to experience a different culture.
"I'm hoping to work in aged care when I return."
