She has decided to use her time away from study to experience a trip of a lifetime while giving back to those who need it most.

Miss Ellis is in African country Malawi teaching in a village called Chimbowe.

She described teaching in Malawi as the most rewarding experience of her life.

"I've been living here for just over three months, I don't want to leave," she said

"I love to see the smiles light up the faces of my students when they understand and answer questions correctly."

She said despite how little the children had, they were always in good spirits.

"They're so happy - dancing, singing and playing together with no qualms," she said.

"I feel so lucky to be here and to be able to experience this beautiful culture."

Miss Ellis said the poverty had been overwhelming at times.

"The locals just scrape up enough money to buy meagre food for their families for the week and to pay their children's $13 school fees," she said.

"Students from my school were sent home in the first week and weren't allowed to return until they paid their fees."

"I didn't have my full class back until the fourth week."

She said hitchhiking was one of the easiest ways for herself and others to get around, but could also prove to be a costly experience for the people of Chimbowe.

"One weekend when I was hitchhiking into town, a group of ladies wanted to get a ride but the driver would not allow them because they could not afford to pay the 27 cents it costs."

During her placement, Miss Ellis lived with another volunteer teacher in a small mud hut.

She said the living conditions had been a culture shock.

"With no electricity or running water, there is not time to be lazy. Simple things at home such as cooking, cleaning, washing and bathing all turn into quite a chore," she said.

"Starting the coal burner is a must for a warm bath - which really is just splashing water on myself - a meal, washing underwear or washing dishes."

Miss Ellis has found time to have fun too, seeing landmarks in the region including Lake Malawi, Mount Mulanje, Nkhata Bay, Cape Maclear and Senga Bay.

While teaching, she has found a sustainable way to leave a lasting gift to the students and families of Chimbowe.

Miss Ellis and volunteer teacher Rachel have started a campaign to subsidise solar lights for the residents homes.

This lighting project, called Light The Way To A Better Future, will make it possible for students to study at night and for the household to do other chores after dark.

Some students have to walk up to seven kilometres to get to school, which is dangerous at night.

"These students travel at night to use the school's electricity so they can study because the lights they use at home are just too poor," she said.

The lights Miss Ellis plans to provide for the families will be powerful enough to fully light an entire room without the added cost of batteries or kerosene.

Miss Ellis said anyone who was interested in donating to the cause could visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/light-the-way-to-a-better-future--2.

Her placement is for four months from August 24 to December 6.

After completing her gap year Mackenzie has plans to help people in a different way, studying nursing and paramedicine in Queensland.