From Artifacts to Understanding:
Describe (D), Interpret (I), Verify (V), Evaluate (E)
What are the objectives of this activity?
✓
✓
✓
✓
distinguish between descriptions, interpretations, and evaluations;
produce neutral descriptions of situations and/or images;
respond effectively and appropriately within an intercultural interaction;
articulate the importance of the D.I.V.E. model to AFS work.
Why use it?
With all of the cultural and personal differences that we encounter daily, it is necessary to have some
strategies for when we are confronted with them, or in general when we find unclear circumstances or
something feels “strange.” D.I.V.E. is one of the strategies that can help you in these situations!
How can you use it?
Think of an example of an intercultural interaction that involves a misunderstanding and/or confusion.
What challenges have you had when communicating with colleagues from different cultures? Any
difficult meetings with host families? Exchange students you couldn’t understand?
Ask yourself the following questions, and try to answer only one at a time, in as many details as you can:
✓
✓
✓
✓
DESCRIBE = What I see: What are the elements you can observe? Try to be as objective as
possible and only stick to the facts.
INTERPRET = How I make sense of what I see: What are your assumptions about what you
described? How would you characterize it?
VERIFY = What deeper insights others can provide: Ask a cultural informant to help you
understand the situation. Are there any other ways you could check if your interpretation was
correct?
EVALUATE = What I value judgements I give this object: How would you qualify and judge what
you see?
Discuss your observations with your colleagues. Would they have described the situation differently?
What were their observations of the perceived behavior? How did your evaluation of the situation
influence your action?
For a complete learning session outline, please refer to our manual on What Every AFSer Should Know
about ICL®. Learn more about the D.I.E. Model on which this exercise is based using the article we
provided or by visiting www.intercultural.org.