The D.I.E. Model of Intercultural Observation

D.I.E. (Description, Interpretation, Evaluation)

As our course focuses on traveling to another country to learn about a culture not our own, we need strategies with which to approach what we experience in Chile.  These two links below explain the D.I.E. Model of intercultural observation, which I expect you to use not only in your blog entries and presentations, but also in actions such as walking down the street in Santiago, eating meals with your host family, and interacting with your Chilean peers and students. We will discuss the D.I.E. Model further when we first meet as a complete group at Dulles.

Here is some information on journaling/blogging using the D.I.E. Model in the Study abroad context:

Journaling and the D.I.E. Model

Here is an excerpt from that site:

"The first step is D: describe.  -Describe the situation in concrete, observable terms.  

The second is I: interpret.  -Try to find at least three different interpretations of the interaction or occurrence.  

And finally, E: evaluate.  -Evaluate what you observed or experienced.  Consider how you might have felt if you were a member of the host culture and held the dominant cultural values and beliefs."  

NOTE: The final step (Evaluate) is possibly the most important part of the D.I.E. Model as it requires you to try to look at your experience from a different perspective.

By following these three steps, you will find different perspectives and interpretations for unfamiliar cultural events and actions without “jumping to conclusions” or potentially offending others.  -The D-I-E process will help entitle you to your evaluations – positive or negative – because you have taken the time to reason through them and have worked to try to understand the occurrence from others’ perspectives.-"