travel/study/work/volunteer abroad

has anyone ever done this? Where is a good place to go?...i'm leaning towards Europe, but I really have no idea how to go about doing this. I've read that some places let you stay with a family there, while others arrange an apartment. Anyone know anything about doing this? I'm not really looking to study anywhere because i will be graduating in december '06, but I wouldn't mind picking up another language or something. tell me what you know about this!