The stories below come from marginalized university students who speak from lived experience about how words – both subtle and direct – shape their sense of belonging. These reflections reveal how everyday language can either affirm someone’s identity or make them feel invisible. As you read, consider how your own words can be part of creating more inclusive, respectful spaces.

Jokes that are both offensive and misleading

It’s tough when people make assumptions based solely on your appearance, background , or name, as it can feel like they’re defining you by stereotypes rather than taking the time to understand you as an individual. For me, it’s been a common experience that when I laugh, my eyes tend to disappear and people sometimes make fun of that, saying I must be Chinese or Nepali. The thing is, I’m actually Indian. It’s frustrating because they don’t take the time to understand my background and immediately jump to conclusions based on physical features. Similarly, when people discover I’m from Nepal, they often start making lighthearted, but still hurtful, comments like “go sell momo,” assuming that because I’m Nepali, I must be involved in selling the iconic dumplings that are popular in Nepal. While momo is a beloved food, reducing me to that stereotype dismisses all the other parts of my identity, and it feels like a lazy and thoughtless assumption based on my nationality.

Another time, when I tell people that I’m originally from Jammu, I’ve been met with an assumption that I must somehow be connected to Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir are often viewed as a singular entity in the eyes of some people, and they don’t differentiate the cultural, regional, and historical differences between them. So, when they hear “Jammu,” they immediately start making jokes about Kashmir jokes that are both offensive and misleading, like “be careful, she might throw a bomb, she’s Kashmiri.” Not only is this a harmful stereotype, but it’s also frustrating because I don’t relate to Kashmir, either culturally or personally. It’s a label that has nothing to do with my own experiences and background, but people latch onto it as a quick assumption. While some of these comments are meant to be jokes, they often ignore the real complexities of who I am. In many cases, it feels like people aren’t interested in understanding me as a person beyond these labels. It’s a reminder that assumptions based on appearance, gender, or background can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and prevent meaningful connections.

By Simran, Student

No harm meant but…

As a customer representative, I interact with many people daily, and microaggressions (though often unintentional) are something I encounter regularly. Out of every few conversations, at least one person asks about my background and religion. When I mention I’m from Nepal, the immediate response is often, “Oh! Have you been to Mt. Everest?” While there’s nothing wrong with that as Everest is a remarkable symbol, it’s important to remember that my identity isn’t limited to just a mountain. Nepal is also the birthplace of Buddha and a land of deep spiritual and cultural significance. Another common experience is when people assume I’m from India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh. Again, there’s no harm meant, but it reflects a lack of geographical awareness. Not every brown person comes from one of these three countries. These moments can feel reductive, but I try to respond with patience and a bit of perspective. They remind me of the importance of cultural awareness and the value of gentle education through everyday conversations.

By Rohan, Student

Being judged online

This hasn’t happened to me personally, but I saw it happen to my friend, and it didn’t really sit right  with me. So my friend is Punjabi, and he was playing an online video game and in gaming culture especially like Call Of Duty people often talk trash to each other it’s pretty common. But during the game, someone on the other team said something really racist. They said that “Indian” people smell bad and don’t have good hygiene. So, the thing with this, for me personally I do not like it either when someone’s hygiene is bad or I know they can fix but they are lazy but, I do not like the fact that it’s coming down to “All Indian people smell bad”

It had nothing to do with the game they were just being rude and using stereotypes. My friend didn’t do anything wrong, but he got targeted because of where he comes from.

Even though it wasn’t about me, it made me think about how often people judge others based on race or culture. Everyone should be able to play games, go to school, or work without worrying about being judged for their background.

By Jasjot, Student

Inclusive communication builds stronger relationships and workplace culture

As a Sales Executive working in retail, I regularly interact with colleagues and clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, many of whom may not be fluent in English. In such situations, I’ve found that using simple, clear language is crucial to ensuring effective communication. My experience as a current student has strengthened my English skills, which allows me to bridge communication gaps and create an inclusive environment.

By explaining things patiently and checking for understanding, I demonstrate respect for everyone’s contributions. This approach fosters a sense of belonging, enhances collaboration, and ultimately improves team morale and productivity. Inclusive communication not only builds stronger relationships but also drives better results for the entire organization.

By Gaurav, Student

You speak English so well…

There have been so many times when I have heard comments like “you speak English so well, were you born here?” In the beginning, I use to think that it is a compliment that I am fluent in English and do not have a strong accent. However, with time and more experiences, I realized that it is not actually a compliment, it means that the person is judging my race/nationality based on my skin color and accent. I started feeling more uncomfortable with such conversations and becoming more cautious of the way I pronounce certain words. I used to practice a lot before giving presentations in class and would check the pronunciation of all the words. This would just put an undue pressure of becoming like “others” present in class.

By Gurman, Student

Respecting cultural nuances in non-verbal communication

Non-verbal communication plays a crucial role in intercultural interactions as it often conveys meanings and emotions that transcend language barriers. Body language, tone, and gestures can either bridge cultural divides or unintentionally create misunderstandings. In intercultural contexts, non-verbal cues can be a powerful tool for fostering connection, respect, and understanding.

One experience stands out for me. During my time working in the procurement field, I collaborated with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds. At one point, I was negotiating with a supplier from Japan, where subtle non-verbal cues are integral to communication. I noticed that while I was speaking, the supplier maintained frequent but brief eye contact, nodded subtly, and used a soft tone in response. Initially, I interpreted the nodding as agreement to my terms, but I later learned that in Japanese culture, nodding often signifies active listening rather than agreement. Had I not taken the time to clarify verbally, I might have assumed we were aligned when, in fact, further discussion was needed.

This experience underscored the importance of being attuned to and respectful of cultural nuances in non-verbal communication. Misinterpreting these cues can lead to confusion, but understanding and responding to them appropriately can strengthen relationships and mutual trust, offering a sense of hope and encouragement.

Intercultural interactions require not only an awareness of one’s own non-verbal communication but also a willingness to observe and adapt to the non-verbal norms of others. By doing so, we can create inclusive spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and respected, fostering a sense of open-mindedness and flexibility.

By Fox, Student

Calling my Professor Sir

As an international student from India, I encountered a notable cultural difference regarding how professors are addressed in Canada. In India, it is customary and considered a sign of respect to refer to professors as “Sir” or “Professor,” reflecting the cultural value placed on formality and reverence for educators. This tradition has deep roots in Indian academic settings, where titles are used to acknowledge the authority and experience of professors.

However, I had a different experience with one of my professors at KPU. On the first day of class, he made it clear that he preferred to be addressed by his first name, explicitly stating that anyone who used “Sir” would have marks deducted from their grade. He explained that in his view, calling someone “Sir” made the teacher appear older and created an unnecessary barrier between students and instructors. The professor’s perception that “Sir” implied age was a misunderstanding of the cultural context in which the term is used. In India, it’s a mark of respect, not an indication of age.

This approach initially felt strange to me, as it conflicted with the cultural norms I was raised with. In India, calling a professor by their first name would be considered disrespectful, so adjusting to this expectation took some time. Nevertheless, I complied with the professor’s rule to avoid penalties and gradually adapted to the informal approach.

However, I also spoke with the professor one-on-one to address this and then he made things clear. I understood that this preference was not an issue of disrespect but rather a reflection of different cultural norms around authority and respect. He just wanted to encourage a more informal, egalitarian environment, where students addressed him by name to foster open communication. This experience highlighted how academic practices can vary across cultures and how a seemingly informal approach in one context might be perceived very differently in another. This experience taught me the importance of recognizing and adapting to diverse cultural expectations in academic environments.

By SB, Student

Workplace communication across cultures

There was a period when I worked for a newly established South African company in Hong Kong. The majority of the staff were from South Africa. I held the position of Administrator, responsible for setting up and coordinating all office administrative matters.

There was a lot to organize. Hong Kong is a very fast-paced city. Moreover, I am an impatient person and always want things done quickly. So, everything I handled was usually done in a short period of time. I walked fast, talked fast, and reacted quickly. This was different from the South African culture, where things were taken more easily. My work was appreciated by the company owner, as he saw the office established much earlier than his plan.

However, colleagues from the head office in South America felt humiliated. They teased me, saying I didn’t know how to walk but rather ran or skied around the office, and that I didn’t know how to talk but only commanded people. Although I was appreciated and rewarded by the president of the corporation, I felt hurt.

Gradually, some Hong Kong people were recruited into the company. I was grateful that one of them pointed out my problem: I should consider others’ feelings and respect their leisure culture. Reflecting on my actions, I found that there is no harm in doing things at a moderate pace to align with others. I can never finish everything by myself. Having a happy and cooperative team is much better than achieving just one or two of the many goals in the workplace. I started to learn to slow down, which is good for myself as well as for others.

By Helen, Student

How come you are a girl and still do not know how to cook?

At some point in our lives, we all have dealt with microaggressions which were expected by other people to be taken lightly, but sometimes not everything can be ignored for fun. I used to be extremely comfortable with my body and body hair, until one day, one of my classmates and I were talking and the person said “Lol, I did not know you can grow a mustache”. The person said it as a joke and even though they never said anything like that ever again, but I always felt like I was too hairy or less beautiful around the girls who waxed or shaved. Since that small incident, I used to shave the hair wherever I could find, and it became an addiction. I started being uncomfortable with my own body and avoided going out in clothes that revealed even my arms or legs. Recently I made some new friends and being with them is like a therapy and finally I have again started to live how I used to be when I was carefree of the body hair and now, I opt for hair removal on rare occasions. That one small, funny comment might seem harmless and maybe that person even forgot that they ever said something like that, but that one sentence ruled my body positivity for a time longer than I can believe.

One other incident occurred a few months ago. I was hanging out with my relatives, and I was casually joking about how I am not good at kitchen work and was telling them the one time when I accidentally burnt instant noodles. One of my aunts, she said “How come you are a girl and still do not know how to cook. What will you do after marriage?” It would not have been a big deal, if she said it in a way like cooking is an essential skill for survival or something, but the way she took cooking as a label for girls and a necessity for marriage, that felt very rude to me. These comments are not something unusual, but they often affect more people than we may know. It hurts to know that these stereotypical thoughts are still finding their way through the 21st Century.

By Japrose, Student