​Wijaya
About Me
For most of my life, I have felt connected to multiple places but never fully defined by just one. I was born and raised in Shanghai, but my family’s roots trace back to Indonesia, where generations of my family built their lives. Growing up between these cultures made me constantly question what it means to belong somewhere and how identity is shaped by the stories we inherit. That curiosity has become the foundation of much of what I do.
I first started exploring these questions through filmmaking. In eighth grade, I created my first documentary about the Chinese-Indonesian riots by interviewing people around me and learning how personal memories can reveal parts of history that are often forgotten. That project changed the way I saw storytelling. Instead of learning about cultures from a distance, I wanted to sit down with people, listen to their experiences, and share stories that might otherwise go unheard. Since then, I have created documentaries on Indigenous communities in Indonesia, including the Baduy and Dayak Kenyah, exploring how these communities preserve their traditions while navigating a rapidly changing world.
My interest in understanding people has also shaped the communities I try to build around me. At Choate, I have become involved in mentoring and wellness initiatives because I understand what it feels like to enter an unfamiliar environment and search for a sense of belonging. Through the International Student Mentor program and Mentors Opening Doors, I help other students adjust to boarding school life and find support in a place that can feel overwhelming at first. Whether through conversations with new students or working on initiatives focused on inclusion and wellness, I hope to create spaces where people feel seen and valued.
Beyond cultural and community work, I have found similar connections through sports and education. Through the Shanghai Go League, I have helped expand opportunities for students across dozens of schools to engage with the game of Go, while through UNITY, I work to connect Ivy League basketball players with students at Tsinghua University through translation and relationship-building.
At the center of everything I do is a simple curiosity about people. Whether I am holding a camera, mentoring a student, or bringing different communities together, I am always looking for the stories that connect us.