Reddit reviews The Rough Guide First-Time Around The World, 3rd Edition
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http://www.international.gc.ca/experience/intro_incoming-intro_entrant.aspx?lang=eng
Get yourself a working holiday here in Canada. Not many Canadians go the other way, but as I hear it told the quota for coming TO Canada fills up pretty fast so apply as soon as you know you want to come here (only 5300-ish spots were available for UK citizens for 2014 and the quota for rounds 1 and 2 were filled the day they were opened and within 3 days for the 3rd round). If you miss it there's always the next year etc until you turn 30.
There's similar programs for you to go to Australia.
I don't know about the USA though. That being said once you get into Canada, you can easily drive or take the bus/train across the border into the US. You wont be able to work there though.
Take advantage of the working holiday visa prgrams while you have the chance. I didn't learn about them until I was about to turn 30 and I wish I had known sooner. Once that time is gone you'll never get it back. However, University will always be there and employers love international and life experience. I've landed several jobs when recruiters were impressed by my ability to travel and live solo in other countries.
They seem to like that independance and ability to manage in strange and stressful environments apparently.
If you need someone to help you set it up, there's lots of organizations that will do it, for a fee. But they're rarely mandatory and, in the end, it's more satisfying to accomplish these things on your own. Many people on this board can help you if you get stuck on some details.
Also, Lonely Planet (http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/world/the-big-trip/) and Rough Guides (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rough-Guide-First-Time-Around-World/dp/1848365101) publish books intended to guide you through the process of planning your first gap year. Pick up one of those and give it a read for a lot of useful tips and destination ideas.
Regardless of where you decide to go i'd suggest this book. It has a lot of good info on where to go, where to stay, what sort of budgets you can expect in different parts of the world. it's quite inspirational. Who knows you may just want to turn that 12 day trip into a longer one :)
http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-First-Time-Around-Edition/dp/1848365101/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341340852&sr=8-1&keywords=first+time+around+the+world
BTW, I traveled alone for the first time last year through S.E Asia for 6 weeks and was horrified. That fear lasted about 1 day, after arriving at my first hostel I met so many people and just went with the flow and ended up having traveling partners for a few weeks of my trip.
Good luck and have fun!