Student Blog

3.5 min read

"I thought “why not?” "

Sometimes, a simple click can open the door to an unexpected opportunity.

I will introduce two APU students whose perspectives on their futures were transformed through the PARKS Overseas Program. PARKS (Platform for All Regions of Kyushu & Okinawa for Startup-ecosystem) brings together students from universities across Kyushu and Okinawa and gives them the opportunity to visit leading innovation ecosystems in Asia, including universities, startup hubs, and research institutions in Taiwan and Singapore.

One Click to Taiwan

For Shashwat Tiwari (Shash), a fourth-year Strategic Management and Organization student from India, one click on the PARKS application opened the door to one of Asia’s leading technology ecosystems in Taiwan.
At National Chengchi University, he worked alongside Taiwanese students on a design-thinking project focused on identifying challenges in student life and developing practical solutions. His team’s project was ultimately recognized with a design award.

Yet some of the most valuable lessons came outside the classroom. One experience that stood out was visiting One&Co Taiwan, a coworking space where entrepreneurs, startups, and companies come together under one roof. Walking through the space, Shash was struck by how naturally collaboration seemed to happen.
Compared with Japan and India, he noticed that a strong sense of ownership was deeply valued in Taiwan. People were constantly looking for opportunities to create something new and build something of their own.

The experience challenged many of his assumptions about entrepreneurship. Before the trip, he often believed that successful businesses begin with brilliant ideas or carefully crafted strategies. Taiwan showed him a different reality.
“What I realized is that nobody starts with a perfect strategy. Most successful projects grow gradually through effort, learning, and persistence.”
Shash says the experience reinforced the value of learning beyond textbooks.
“You can read about entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology. But going into the field and seeing how people actually build things gives you a completely different understanding.”

One Click to Singapore

Rachel Hilya Nugraha, a fourth-year Accounting and Finance student from Indonesia, turned a simple click on a PARKS application into a chance to deepen her understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship in Singapore. Having already launched a startup in Indonesia with her brother, Rachel saw the program as an opportunity to learn how innovation ecosystems function and how those insights could be applied to her own business ventures.

During the program, she participated in workshops organized by Reactor School, a Singapore-based entrepreneurship education institution. There, participants experienced the process of building a business from an initial idea to an investor pitch.
Although the workshops moved at a fast pace, Rachel says the experience taught her how to stay focused on an idea while continuously refining and developing it. Receiving feedback from judges who actively invest in startups was also a valuable learning opportunity.
One of the biggest lessons came from observing Singapore’s solution-oriented mindset. Seeing how entrepreneurs and students approached challenges encouraged Rachel to think more seriously about her own future.
She realized that if she hopes to succeed on an international stage and achieve the future she envisions for herself, preparation must begin now.
Since returning from the program, Rachel has continued to challenge herself through new projects, including work related to Kitsuki Yashiki under the supervision of Professor Masanori Fujita from the College of International Management.

A Shared Takeaway

Although their destinations were different, both students came away with a similar realization.
“It’s not just about one brilliant idea. It’s about people constantly learning from and helping each other.”
Through their experiences in Taiwan and Singapore, both students gained new perspectives on innovation, entrepreneurship, and their own futures. More importantly, they discovered that some of the most valuable learning happens outside the classroom.

Looking back, they share the same advice for other students:
“If you have the chance, apply. Don’t hesitate to take on a new challenge.”
They also encourage students to pay attention to the opportunities shared by the university.
“There are so many opportunities available on Student Portal. It’s definitely worth checking regularly.”
Sometimes, all it takes is one click.

Tanatsiwa Christabel Dube

I am passionate about storytelling and community building. As a writer and entrepreneur, I enjoy sharing stories that inspire people and highlight meaningful experiences, especially the unknown and unsung ones. As an SPA, I hope to share the spirit of APU with a wider audience and help others find their voice in the same way I continue discovering mine.