BRYAN NATHANIAL

Heritage is not solely the collection of relics or the echoes of bygone eras;
it's the intricate tapestry of narratives, customs, and values woven into the very fabric of a culture.

I will be honest, describing myself is not my forte. However, I’m here to write down this page, a sheet that might reach your hands whenever that may be. My legal name is Bryan Olivier Nathanial Kojima, a moniker laden with the significance and the blessings. ‘Bryan,’ deriving from the English, signifies strength and resilience. While ‘Olivier,’ possibly linked to the olive, conveys peace, wisdom, or eternity. ‘Nathanial,’ a variation of ‘Nathaniel’ rooted in the Hebrew, translates to ‘God’s gift.’ So, overall, the name Bryan Olivier Nathanial could be interpreted as a someone robust yet characterized by serenity and wisdom, seen as a divine bestowment. Of course, Kojima is my father’s name. I come from two different nationalities. My father, of the Japanese-American descent being a nisei, the third generation, goes by Kojima Haruichi or his current name, Benjamin Eugene Kojima. He was born and raised in the Delta, Colorado, United State, only returning to the Japan for college where he met my mother. Meanwhile, my mother, of the Indonesian-Belgian descent with Dutch lineage, is named Anneliese Ryana Dameswari Koster. Born and raised in the Bandung, she attended high school in the Netherlands and pursued her studies in the Japan. Quite weighty for me, honestly. I wonder why my parents bestowed such a name upon me.

 

I was born on April 21, 2004, when the spring enchanted Akita, Japan. Oh, my mother was head over heels for Oda Yuuji, portraying Aoshima Shunsaku in the film Bayside Shakedown 2. Hence, I ended up with the Japanese name, Kojima Yuuji. I am the third child or the youngest of three siblings. I have twin older siblings named Thessara Khair Amaranth Kojima and Thaleesa Khaia Amaranth Kojima. A unique naming, I believe. Because their names encompass elements from Western, Middle Eastern, and Japanese cultures. They are just two years older than me. From there, you’d think you’d already have an idea of how my life would unfold, wouldn’t you?

 

I lived in Japan until I was seven years old, having just entered elementary school at that time. My father had just completed a Master’s program in International Business Management at Nagoya University. Both my parents had great jobs, who worked for multinational corporations in management roles, and they were promoted and transferred, and we moved to San Francisco. The transition was unexpectedly challenging. At that time, I was fluent in Japanese and English. My parents enrolled me in an international school. But when I moved to San Francisco, my friends made fun of my accent. It was infuriating. Moreover, the change in environment, adaptation, and a whole new social circle made me want to run to an open field and scream. I hated being labeled as ‘haha the slanty-eyed one! China China!’ Gosh, I’m from Japan, not China! Often, I ended up in fights, which dismayed my mother.

 

The most dreadful moment happened when I was in fifth grade, during lunchtime. I vividly remember, it happened after summer break and I returned from Indonesia. For some reason, some kids said I smelled like the sun. After that, I was mercilessly bullied, and they put a lizard in my lunchbox, and I accidentally ate it. I choked, vomited, and passed out. I was rushed to the hospital, fortunately saved in time. Finally, my parents realized that I was truly bearing a heavy burden. The only good thing was that those who bullied me ended up dropping out, giving me some relief.

 

That unpleasant incident gave me a phobia of crawling creatures—lizards, geckos, and similar animals, even insects. I hate them all; just the fear could render me feverish for days. Both my parents took me to a psychologist, but I found it very challenging to overcome. Since then, my father and mother have been very attentive to my needs. 

 

Apart from that, I cherished my childhood. I engaged in various clubs, I played baseball, excelled as both a pitcher and a standout batter for our school, leading us to the national competition at that time. My middle school life was not as gloomy as my elementary days. Indeed, I had good academic grades, excelling in Mathematics. Some people at my school said it was not a big deal if an Asian kid was good at logical subjects. Nevertheless, I was proud to be the class champion with the best results then. I planned to continue my education at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) in Alexandria, Virginia, that focused on the STEM curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).  This high school boasted a 99% graduation rate, an average SAT score of 1510, and an average ACT score of 34. It also offered numerous clubs, competitions, and research programs for interested students. It was pretty amazing, right? But then? My parents planned to move to Indonesia. They pursued business development in Asia, specifically focusing on Southeast Asia. I was greatly puzzled. I confronted their decision, stated that I wanted to stay in America. I intended to live alone and attend TJHSST. My mother cried day and night long, which made me disgusted and eventually softened my resolve.

 

I did not soften; I was angry, and I went on a two-month silent protest against them until my mother became ill and had to be hospitalized. Sometimes, it's tiring being the youngest child, feeling like I have to constantly meet both of my parents' expectations. Fortunately, my extended family is quite delightful. The cultural diversity within it made me love this family even more. Our mindsets and lifestyles are incredibly tolerant of each other. Well, I have not mentioned this, have I? My grandfather was a former soldier in World War II and an actor. Please do not remind me that Japan once colonized Indonesia; I have nothing to do with that. The great-grandparent from my maternal family was a skilled engineer who arrived in Indonesia during the colonial period to contribute to the construction of railways. Confirming, he became my ancestor. Yes, indeed, they became my a. Again, please do not label my ancestors as Indonesian colonizers; after all, there’s Indonesian blood in me, is not there? I love Indonesia.

 

Later on, I attended an international school in Jakarta. I had to adjust, which made me quite nauseous, honestly. I felt dizzy. However, I found out that many kids shared a similar fate to mine. Fortunately, I did not feel alone. During high school, my biggest challenge were myself. I realized that my strengths were in analytical thinking, creativity, and independence. Yet, I also recognized my weaknesses in expressing emotions, lacking social skills, and my tendency to procrastinate and overthink. I struggled with these aspects of myself, especially with my family, friends, and romantic interests. I frequently felt misunderstood, alienated, or conflicted.

 

I became exhausted. My interests also changed over time. I no longer wanted to pursue engineering; then, I aspired to become a Diplomat or a Manager in a Global Company. At least, to help kids that, like me, have experienced cultural differences, ensuring they have adequate facilities. Well, since high school, I also took Indonesian History as a subject. It sparked my interest in this incredibly diverse country. Therefore, I pursued International Relations at the Amstelbridge Global Institute. I have something that I am eager to pursue.

 

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Here, he confronted fresh hurdles encompassing the fiercely competitive academic atmosphere, cultural disparities, and the political upheavals surrounding him. Yet, amidst these challenges, new vistas of opportunities unfurled before him: the chance to traverse distant lands, forge meaningful connections, and delve deeper into his passions.

Navigating the labyrinth of his analytical mind, the tapestry of his international upbringing, and the ongoing internal struggles, he embarked on a relentless quest to strike a chord of harmony within himself and the ever-evolving world around him.

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Full Name: Bryan Olivier Nathanial Kojima

Japanese Name: Kojima Yuuji (小島裕史)

PDOB: Akita, Japan, 21st April 2004

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Height: 181cm

Blood Type: A+

MBTI: INTP

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Education

1. Akita International Kindergarten: April 2007 - March 2010

2. Sakura Elementary School: April 2010 - February 2011

3.  Lilienthal (Claire) Elementary School: February 2011 - June 2016

4. Roosevelt Middle School: August 2016 - June 2019

5. Jakarta Intercultural School: July 2019 - Mei 2022 

6. Amstelbridge Global Institute, International Relations: September 2022 - Present

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TRIVIA

1. Enjoys alternative rock music, particularly Queen and Nirvana, and is proficient in playing keyboards, piano, guitar, and bass. 
2. Bryan's favorite color is white. 
3. He has a collection of comic books, with Spider-Man being his favorite superhero.
4. Despite a busy schedule, Bryan finds solace in books, with a particular fondness for historical novels and philosophical literature.
5. His favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip.
6. He enjoys solving Rubik's cubes and holds a personal record of 2 minutes.
7. Possesses a knack for technology and enjoys keeping up with the latest gadgets and innovations.
8. Bryan has a hobby of capturing moments through photography, often documenting his travels and daily life.
9. Apart from English, Japanese, and Indonesian, Bryan has dabbled in learning a few phrases from various languages, showcasing his interest in linguistics.
10. Passionate about social issues, Bryan actively engages in discussions and occasionally participates in community service initiatives.
11. Has a soft spot for animals, particularly dogs, and dreams of having a loyal furry companion someday.

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ACHIEVEMENTS

1. In 2013, he won the first place in the Golden Gate STEM Fair for his project on renewable energy sources.
2. In 2015, he participated in the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium at San Francisco State University and received a special award from the Office of Naval Research for his research on ocean currents and climate change.
3. In 2017, he was selected as one of the finalists in the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement program and competed in the state-level competition in Sacramento.
4. In 2018, he joined the San Francisco Math Circle and won the regional MathCounts competition, qualifying for the national level in Washington, D.C.
5. In 2019, he moved to Jakarta and enrolled in the Math and Science Competition (MASCOT) organized by the Pusat Olimpiade Sains Indonesia (POSI). He won the gold medal in the mathematics category for his outstanding performance.
6. In 2020, he represented Indonesia in the Asian Science and Mathematics Olympiad for Primary and Secondary Schools (ASMOPSS) held in Kintamani, Bali. He earned a silver medal in the science category and a bronze medal in the mathematics category.
7. In 2021, he took part in the Komodo Math Competition, an international contest for high school students. He achieved the second place in the individual round and the first place in the team round with his classmates.
8. In 2022, he was invited to join the Investment Migration Forum in London as a student delegate. He presented his paper on the impact of migration on global development and received positive feedback from the experts and the audience.
9. In 2023, Secured first place in the National Mathematics Olympiad organized by the American Mathematical Society for his groundbreaking solution to a complex number theory problem.