After an intensive one-week course, 18-year-old Emily Senior, of Dunmow, is taking a well-earned rest before she sets forth on an adventure of a lifetime.

Emily will be packing her bags and leaving on August 18 for Malaysia, where she will be taking part in voluntary work for 12 months.

The placement has been organised by the educational charity Project Trust, which also organised the training course, during which she discovered all about the project she is to be placed in.

She also received training in teaching and outward bound, and got the opportunity to meet other volunteers working at the same project, and other volunteers working in Malaysia.

A former sixth former at Bishop’s Stortford High School, Emily, who is planning to do a degree in sports science when she returns, said: “It’s not going to be an easy year, but I’m sure once we get past the massive culture shock it will be an amazing experience and I’m looking forward to spending a year with and meeting some great people.”

Project Trusts’ Volunteers have now been receiving university offers conditional on them completing the accredited programme, and it has been endorsed by UCAS.

Emily raised £7,500 for the trip, through sponsored activities and grants. She will receive a qualification in Global Volunteering and Citizenship, accredited by One Awards, when she completes the Project Trust programme.

Project Trust has been providing volunteering opportunities for school-leavers since 1967, sending 300 volunteers overseas every year.

Ingrid Emerson MBE, Project Trust’s CEO, said: “Project Trust ensure our volunteers are best-placed to develop their skills, make the most of their time overseas, deliver a beneficial educational impact in their host community, integrate into their host community and country and remain safe while living and working overseas.

“Over almost 50 years, Project Trust has sent just under 7,000 volunteers overseas, and we’re sure our 2014/15 volunteers will continue the organisation’s reputation for hard-working, passionate volunteers who are eager to learn and experience different cultures.”

To follow Emily’s progress, visit her blog at emilysprojecttrustjourney.wordpress.com

For more information about the Project Trust, visit projecttrust.org.uk.