Preview: all people and stories are placeholders

Not What You Think

We listed the stereotypes we hear about our countries, then filmed our ordinary afternoons.

Video1 min readBy Masah, Hana and Noah

Placeholder story. Three of us wrote down every stereotype we had heard about our countries, then filmed an ordinary afternoon to see how many survived.

About this story

Made by
Masah, Hana, Noah
From
Japan, Canada and Sweden
Format
Video
Published
18 May 2026
Themes

Perspectives

Reflection

What we took away

  • What surprised us?

    How funny the stereotypes sound when you say them out loud.

  • What did we assume?

    We each had a stereotype about the others ready, and we were wrong.

  • What did we learn?

    An ordinary afternoon is the best answer to a stereotype.

Use this story in class

  • Discussion guide · Ages 13–18 · 30–40 minutes

    Talking About Stereotypes

    A discussion guide for unpacking the assumptions we make about other places, without shaming anyone.

All stories
  • Abstract placeholder artwork of overlapping navy, gold and coral shapes.

    Video ·

    What Does Home Mean to Us?

    Six of us, in six countries, filmed the places and moments that feel like home. Then we compared notes.

    By Lucas, Amani, Masah, Priya, Hana and Noah

  • Abstract placeholder artwork of purple, peach and yellow shapes.

    Interview ·

    The Word I Cannot Translate

    An interview about switching languages mid-sentence, and the words that only exist in one of them.

    By Amani and Noah

  • Abstract placeholder artwork of dark plum, teal and pink shapes.

    Article ·

    First Day, Again

    What it is like to start at a new school in a new country, told by someone who has done it.

    By Noah and Lucas