This depends on what you want to get out of it. First of all, I would really really recommend trying to play abroad for any players out there who are, like you said, looking for a cool experience to extend your career after college. I am currently playing for Akademisk Boldklub's 2nd team in Copenhagen, Denmark, and it has been a blast so far. I moved over to do a masters at a university here, and trying to play for a local club was an obvious choice. I'd recommend a strategy along these lines, because it's a bit difficult to show up in a foreign country and just be like, "here I am."

As for signing with a pro club to pave your way, here has been my experience: AB's pro team is in the Danish 1st division (a flight below the Superliga), and despite the fact that those guys are unbelievable players, many have day jobs. Only the top 10 or so clubs like FC Copenhagen have true professionals. The 2nd team (in Serie 1, which is like... the 6th or 7th division) is about the same or a little above the level of when I played for Johns Hopkins, and none of our guys are paid. So realistically, you need to have the skills to make a big jump from the D3 level to a paid level over here, no matter how modest that pay may be (just like back home, really). Clubs are also very interested in developing young talent for the future, so a 1-2 year stay on your part at age 22ish may not be that attractive to them. This is in a country where the economics of soccer are decent. I don't know what it is like in South America.

Nevertheless, I say go for it. I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience, and I'm glad I did it. It may seem like the concept of teaching English and playing soccer in Brazil or whatever is a waste of a year or two, but now is the time to do it when you're young and don't have the responsibilities of an old man yet.