Children are Flowers: How 7 Days in Japan Inspired My Entrepreneurial Journey

They say, "Children are like flowers. You don’t compare a rose to a hasnahena (night-blooming jasmine). Every flower has its own color, its own fragrance, and its own time to bloom."

I first truly understood the depth of these words in 2019, in a classroom in Fukuoka, Japan. That realization didn't just change my perspective on education; it laid the foundation for my company, Tinkers Technologies Ltd.

Here is the story of my Sakura Science Exchange experience—a seven-day chapter that continues to write the story of my life.

The Selection: A Moment of Pride

It was 2019, and I was in my fourth year at the University of Rajshahi. The Sakura Science Exchange Program announced a competitive exam to select students for a fully funded research and cultural trip to Japan.

When the results came out, I was overwhelmed. I was the only student selected from the entire Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department at Rajshahi University. I joined a diverse delegation of students and teachers from various other departments, and together, we flew to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Innovation in Fukuoka: Labs and Design Thinking

Our destination was Fukuoka, a city that perfectly balances hyper-modernity with deep-rooted tradition.

For a CSE student, the academic visits were like stepping into the future. We spent days at the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) and Kyushu University. We didn't just tour the facilities; we immersed ourselves in them. We visited advanced robotics and engineering labs, witnessing the incredible discipline Japanese researchers apply to their work.

But the highlight of the academic schedule was the Design Thinking Workshops. These weren't just about coding or hardware; they were about problem-solving. I learned that before you design a solution, you must deeply understand the human need behind it. This philosophy of "Human-Centered Design" became a cornerstone of my own professional thinking.

The School Visit: The Heart of the Trip

While the university labs were impressive, the day that shook me to my core was our visit to a Japanese elementary school. This was where I saw the "Flower Philosophy" in action.

In Japan, every child is treated as a unique entity. The teachers don't force a "one-size-fits-all" method. Instead, they personalize the care so each flower can bloom in its own way.

Learning with Joy: We watched a math class where children weren't just reciting numbers; they were singing them. They memorized multiplication tables through rhythm and melody, turning a boring task into a joyful game.

The "Remote" Revelation

Then, we observed an English class for the senior students. This was the moment that sparked my future business idea.

Japanese educators knew that, generally speaking, their local teachers might struggle to teach conversational English with perfect native nuances. Instead of forcing it, they innovated. They hired a foreign agency to broadcast native English speakers onto a large screen in the classroom.

The students were interacting with a remote teacher in real-time. Inside the room, there was only one local instructor acting as a technical facilitator. It was a brilliant display of self-awareness and efficiency: If we can't do it perfectly, we will use technology to bring in someone who can.

Connecting the Dots: From Fukuoka to AmarVasha

I returned to Bangladesh with my head full of ideas. I couldn't stop thinking about that English class. I asked myself: If Japan can use technology to bring English teachers to their kids, why can't I use technology to take Bengali teachers to children who need them?

This inspiration led to the birth of my company, Tinkers Technologies Ltd.

We launched AmarVasha, a platform where we teach the Bengali language to children of Bangladeshi origin living in the USA.

The Curriculum: Inspired by the Japanese math class, we made our curriculum fun, engaging, and "gamified."

The Model: Inspired by the remote English class, we connect expert teachers from Bangladesh with students in the US, bridging the distance with technology.

Every aspect of AmarVasha's content and user experience (UX) traces its DNA back to that school in Fukuoka.

More Than Just Tech: Culture and Care

The trip wasn't all work. We experienced the legendary Japanese hospitality. We attended a technical conference, explored the city, and ate authentic Japanese food—including real Sushi, which was a culinary adventure in itself!

We even visited a Japanese Hospital. You might wonder, why a hospital? It was to see their systems. The way they manage patient care, hygiene, and workflow is a masterclass in management and empathy. It reinforced the idea that technology is useless without a system that cares for people.

The Conference: A Moment of Inspiration

One of the most memorable parts of the Sakura Science Exchange trip was the international technical conference we attended in Fukuoka. Students and researchers from several countries presented posters, prototypes, and early-stage ideas. I was selected to present a poster showcasing my work and future research directions — standing alongside innovations from Japan, China, Thailand, and Malaysia.

The conference became even more special because Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus delivered a keynote session during the event. Listening to him speak in Japan — about social business, human-centered progress, and designing solutions that uplift communities — was surreal. It was the first time I saw how deeply social philosophy and engineering innovation could merge.

A memorable moment with Dr. Muhammad Yunus during the conference in Fukuoka.

Presenting my poster at the international technical conference — an unforgettable milestone in my academic journey.

That day changed something in me. Watching global researchers present their ideas, listening to Dr. Yunus speak about building AI systems and thinking about people, and standing there as a Bangladeshi student presenting my own work — it all came together as a powerful reminder that we are capable of shaping meaningful change far beyond our borders.

A Lasting Legacy

As I continue my journey now as a PhD student and a Lecturer, the lessons from 2019 remain my guiding star.

The Sakura Science Exchange didn't just show me advanced computers; it showed me advanced thinking. It taught me that Design Thinking isn't just a buzzword—it's a way of life. Whether I am designing a lecture for my students at Teesta University or a new feature for Tinkers, I look back at that trip.

I learned that a rose is not a hasnahena, and that if you build the right environment, every flower will bloom beautifully.