This will shape your future career by providing a solid foundation of empathy, leading to stronger relationship building skills and hopefully an ability to better communicate with people from diverse backgrounds in a wide range of professional situations. You will be much better placed to succeed than the graduate who has never taken time to explore life and themselves, outside their immediate surroundings and social circles.

This 12 month period at a young and impressionable age, in a society on the verge of significant change, certainly altered my life outlook, hopefully for the better. I think it made me a less selfish person, more open to the needs of other people, although I still need reminding from time to time.

Best if you are able to combine working in your field of choice with visiting a new place.

Anecdata: I started to travel a bit about a decade ago and still have (business and personal) relationships with people from that very first trip.

% of startup skills needed that you already have: 10

Do the startup.

So accept that you might take the wrong path, it will certainly not be the last time it happens to you ;-)