MBA student shares his 2SLGBTQ+ university experience

Ashutosh Mishra says attending VIU was pivotal in his journey to experiencing “true freedom” as a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

“Coming from a small town in India where inclusion was never part of the conversations at school or universities, I struggled to find acceptance and to be understood. I was made fun of and was seen as a joke in school. I soon realized that I needed to change and be like the rest of them to hide my true self and just pretend to be someone else. VIU has been a game changer in that regard,” says Ashutosh. “From reaching out to senior leaders at the school prior to coming to VIU to actually stepping foot on campus and meeting them in person, I felt freedom in being who I wanted to be and to be open about myself without the fear of being judged.”

Ashutosh, an international student from Haryana, India, began studying at VIU in 2022 and graduated this year with a Master of Business Administration. Now a VIU alum, he wants to be a mentor for other 2SLGBTQ+ community members who are thinking of attending VIU from all over the world. He says connecting with the right people will help them navigate their way at school and encourages students who relate to his story to reach out to him.

Ashutosh’s journey at VIU started before he attended classes. He reached out to the previous directors of the MBA program and the President to connect. During the first week of classes he learned about VIU services such as counselling, the Advising Centre and the Office of Co-Curricular Engagement and Learning. It allowed him to reach out and form connections. Ashutosh said the Co-Curricular office held sessions where people told their personal stories, which was a unique experience.

Ashutosh came out about his sexuality to his parents in 2016 and says he always wanted to move to a “progressive country.” He came out to his VIU classmates during the first weeks of school.

“It was accepting, and a very different atmosphere and I felt welcome,” he says.

Ashutosh says VIU created an environment where people can be themselves no matter their sexuality, gender identity of expression. He feels there is a place for everyone at VIU.

“The community here is exceptionally supportive, welcoming individuals from all walks of life. Whether you are coming to terms with your identity or have long been confident in who you are, you will find a network of peers, faculty and staff who are not only accepting but also actively encouraging of your journey,” says Ashutosh.

Ashutosh joined the Nanaimo Pride Society and attended VIU Positive Space Alliance meetings. Then his MBA studies started to get more demanding, so he focused more on his studies. He participated in the Nanaimo Pride Parade. 

In 2023 he attended the Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) 2SLGBTQ+ conference held in Chicago in 2023, where he participated in a case competition and met presenters who shared stories of their personal struggles and triumphs. One of the highlights of attending ROMBA for Ashutosh was meeting actor Elliot Page.

“I was shocked. We had a three-and-a-half-minute conversation,” says Ashutosh. “They shared their experience about how their life had changed and how confident they are. And that they are volunteering and supporting the community.”