1) Define/Identify Your Purpose
What is the underlying reason behind your determination to engage in a voluntourism trip? Does it represent the fulfillment of a life-long dream? Is it an expression of your personal value system? Write down your answer and place it in a conspicuous spot for easy reference as you begin your trip selection.

2) Set Reasonable Goals - Not Expectations
It is human nature to erect parapets of expectations around upcoming experiences. In the case of voluntourism experiences, however, you have an unprecedented opportunity to set goals and objectives, within reason, of course, toward which you can strive during your adventure. You may decide to have a daily goal, such as meeting a fellow voluntourist, or an overall objective, such as better understanding poverty. Take greater control of your journey by setting your own personal goals and objectives.

3) Selecting A Destination
Especially for those who may be new to Voluntourism, consider selecting a domestic destination with which you are familiar. Because much of what occurs during a voluntourism journey can be unfamiliar or unanticipated, you will be much better positioned to enjoy your experience if you are simply seeing a different side of a "face" that you already know in some way.

4) Personal Orientation: Accomplishment or Engagement
Do you want to accomplish something tangible through your service or do you want to engage with others? Fulfillment for some of us comes in the form of erecting a structure that will soon be brimming with children studying science or mathematics. Others will be fulfilled through instructing a women's cooperative on how to market its products and services. Identify which type of experience - accomplishment or engagement - will best serve you as you serve others.

5) Physical & Emotional Intensity
Voluntourism trips may entail some physically and emotionally intense moments. If you are not prepared to see children suffering from malnutrition, then be very clear about this from the beginning. Be sure to avoid selecting a trip that might be too intense from a physical/labor perspective or from an interaction/emotional perspective.

6) The Itinerary Mix
There are four basic elements that should be included in every voluntourism itinerary: 1) voluntary service, 2) connection to a destination's art, culture, history, geography, and other tourism activities, 3) recreation, and 4) personal downtime. When you begin to look for a trip, determine how much time you would like to dedicate to each of these areas and select an itinerary mix that represents a balance of your preferences.

7) Comfort Level
Be very clear of your personal boundaries and comfort level, especially in reference to: 1) type and style of accommodations, 2) transfer times and mode of transport, 3) environment and climate, 4) interaction and engagement with both voluntourists and residents, and 5) type of service work. Do not over-extend or overestimate your capacity in these areas.