The Kula family – all very inspiring! A great family of entrepreneurs and ‘techy’ people- each inspiring the others. From teaching young children how to code with their coding classes,
another taking lead in PNG ICT issues
and ICT Entrepreneurs in QR Codes and more..
and then we have one in Japan – as his story below!
Each have their own journey in entrepreneurship, in ICT and developing their passion and sharing this with others and contributing to PNG Digital world.
Always – look for opportunities – to travel, to experience the world outside the ‘box’ or as the article – the world ‘inside’ the box 😀
A story needed to be shared far and wide – to inspire our young people and each of us – to dream, vision and put into action for the benefit of others!
Source: ABC News
From Paramana to Osaka: a PNG expat’s life in Japan
By Jemima Garrett
It’s a long way from the rural villages of Papua New Guinea to the hustle and bustle of Osaka, Japan, but Dr Raula Kula says he’ll always have close ties to his homeland.
“First and foremost, I think that I am a Paramana person … I see myself as the boy from Paramana,” Dr Kula told Pacific Beat, referring to his home village in PNG’s Central Province.
“Every time someone asks me – ‘Where is Papua New Guinea?’ – I think I am a representative of my country, of my province and where I am from. I never forget that.”
While Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his delegation are in PNG, Dr Kula, 33, is part of an adventurous group of Papua New Guineans going about their daily business in Japan.
Having lived in the United States and Australia, he is now working at Osaka University on cutting-edge computer software research, using the latest techniques for analysing big data.
‘The world in the box was so different to Port Moresby’
The inspiration for his travels started when he was just a little boy in his home village watching television.
“I really wanted to see what was out there, you know, see the world,” he said.
“I think that is what motivated me – that the world in the box was so different to what we had in Port Moresby.”
Seven years ago, Dr Kula answered a newspaper advertisement for research scholarships in Japan.
He earned his doctorate in software engineering at Osaka University and was offered his current position.
He says it’s exciting work, but there is a lot more to love about Japan: the food, the music, the culture and the history.
“I love the food, beautiful food. The second thing is the culture of being on time, accurate. They are so precise,” he said.
“The final one is safety-wise: here there is a sense of respect so you feel pretty safe.
“It is actually pretty scary, you could probably lose your wallet somewhere and it will still be there when you come back!”
In the event that his family and friends from PNG were to visit, Dr Kula says he would be sure to show them Japan’s famous hot springs.
“The public onsens, the spring baths, that is an experience,” he said.
“You actually go there and it is split between men and women but you have to bare it all! You just take off your clothes and you go in there and you enjoy the water.”
Hopes for future collaboration
Dr Kula has travelled back to PNG to help other indigenous entrepreneurs start up their own businesses.
He says he sees great potential for the Information and Communications Technology sectors in Japan and PNG to work together.
“I have spoken with some of the professors here (in Osaka) and they are very enthusiastic about collaborations,” he said.
“I think Papua New Guinea has a potential, really big potential, with all these projects going around and how the economy has shaped up.
“Actually there are really young vibrant entrepreneurs in ICT that are there, so I think they can make it happen.”
Dr Kula says living in Japan has broadened his mind and his experiences.
“I think with being out (of Japan) for so long, I can understand different cultures and how people react to things,” he said.
“After you get that understanding, I think you can relate to people more.”
