DIY or through a company?

As far as DIY or through a company is concerned, this really depends on your personal circumstances. Certainly the question 'Why should I pay a gap year company to organise my gap year when I could do it myself?' is often asked, along with 'Where does my money go to? '. If you do arrange it yourself, then you will need to do lots of research eg talk to people who have been there before you. Safety is paramount.

It’s your decision, based on a number of factors:

your experience of travel

your own self-confidence
safety considerations
support: before, during and after your gap year
being with people of your own age
the knowledge that a company has a sound track record
value for money
the time you have to make your arrangements

gapadvice.org's strong advice is that it is best to start off with a well-organised, structured activity with other like-minded people. From a position of strength, having adjusted to your surroundings and made new friends, you can get more involved in arranging your own activities.