As one student, Rajat, shared with us “Representation is important. Students feel more secure and welcomed when they witness teachers, leaders or coworkers who have similar experiences or backgrounds. It shows that everyone can achieve success”. Their comments reflect the sentiment of many students who contributed to this resource. As you engage with the stories below from real students with lived experience, reflect on the role that representation plays in university and workplace settings. In what ways can you centre marginalized voices in your spaces?

Representation in Public Spaces

At my previous job, there was a wall that displayed the words “thank you” in various languages, including Punjabi. Although it may seem like a small gesture, seeing my mother tongue represented on that wall gave me a deep sense of pride.

Growing up, I didn’t always see my language or culture represented in public spaces or workplaces, so seeing it included in such a visible way felt very special. It was a subtle yet meaningful reminder that my culture was being acknowledged.

This display not only celebrated linguistic diversity but also made me feel more connected to the workplace. It reassured me that my cultural identity was valued, especially in a setting where I was one of the few people from my background. The gesture spoke volumes about the company’s values and showed that they respected and celebrated diversity. It was also an acknowledgment that we all bring something valuable to the table, regardless of our background. I believe that people from other cultural backgrounds likely experienced a similar feeling of pride when they saw their languages displayed on that wall. These small acts of recognition create an environment where differences are not just tolerated, but embraced. It creates a sense of belonging and respect, and helps everyone feel valued.

I truly appreciated how the display on the wall allowed me to feel both connected to the workplace and proud of my cultural identity. It also sparked conversations about cultural appreciation, which led to a more inclusive atmosphere and encouraged mutual respect and understanding among my co-workers.

By H, Student

Looking Like Me, Feeling Like Me

Growing up as a Japanese Canadian woman in a small town, I was the only Asian student in my school. I didn’t have the language back then to name what I was feeling, but I knew I felt different. I remember an adult once asking if I could speak Korean to a newly arrived international student. I was confused—not just by the assumption, but by the way my identity was flattened into something generic. Asian. Interchangeable. Other.

As I got older, the moments didn’t stop. Someone once asked my husband (who is White)  what I ate for breakfast, assuming it was raw fish because I’m Japanese. He replied, “Eggs, pancakes, toast, cereal.” I laughed, but inside I felt the familiar sting of being reduced to a stereotype.

Until university, I rarely saw anyone who looked like me or shared my experience. I learned to tuck away parts of my Japanese heritage—not out of shame, but out of convenience. In Vancouver, the diversity was different. I saw more Asian faces, but I still struggled to understand my own identity. I looked Asian on the outside, but inside I felt disconnected. That dissonance was hard to explain. It still is.

Now, as I continue to grow and reflect, I realize how much representation matters. Not just seeing someone who looks like you—but seeing someone who feels like you. Someone who understands what it’s like to straddle cultures, to navigate assumptions, to carry both pride and confusion in your heritage. I wish I had seen more of that growing up. I wish I had known that belonging doesn’t require fitting into a mold—it requires being seen in your fullness.

Representation isn’t just about visibility. It’s about affirmation. It’s about knowing that who you are belongs here, too.

By Lindsay, Educator