OSU Global Opportunities
Studying in Japan Helped Shape Julianne Wood-Rethwill’s Global Career
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Julianne Wood-Rethwill: A Journey Inspired by Study Abroad in Japan
A decision to study abroad in Japan as an undergraduate set Julianne Wood-Rethwill on an impressive professional trajectory. A native Oregonian, Julianne’s spent her formative years in Astoria. Her internationally minded family welcomed exchange students and befriended the officers of the maritime ships that came into the Port of Astoria from Asia. Through her father’s position in OSU Extension her family hosted international educators taking part in OSU programs and formed lasting friendships. These early experiences helped whet her appetite for global adventures of her own.
After beginning her B.S. in Food Science & Technology at OSU, Julianne chose Japan for her study abroad experience “I knew I’d get to Europe someday,” she recalls. “But an opportunity to immerse myself in Japanese culture might not come again.” That decision became a turning point.
In Tokyo, Julianne studied at the prestigious Waseda University, a long-time partner institution to OSU, with about ten other OSU students. She lived in a homestay with a traditional Japanese family with two young children. The “mother” spoke no English, and the “father” was regularly away for work. She commuted daily to and from Waseda taking a one and half hour ride on three trains each way. Julianne took classes in Japanese language, history, political science, music, and geography, and taught English to students and businessmen for extra income. She was fortunate to meet and develop a life-long friendship with a Japanese Waseda student studying applied chemistry. His family owns Masumi sake company which they started in 1662! In 1916 his family started one of Japan’s largest miso companies where his father, and later he, were CEO’s. In 2013, they entered a joint business arrangement with Sapporo Holdings, Japan’s 4th largest beer company, and in 2021, 100% of the business transferred to Sapporo Holdings.
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These connections and experiences gave her firsthand insight into Japanese business practices and multi-cultural values—knowledge that would later prove invaluable throughout her life and work with US and international colleagues in the food and health care industries. Julianne spent her career working at Ralston Purina, The Dial Corporation, and Johnson & Johnson. She played a pivotal role in developing and launching SPLENDA® internationally, navigating multifaceted cultural considerations and regulatory environments. In this as well as her positions in new business development in both worldwide consumer products and dermatology, she partnered closely with each company’s in-country research, marketing, and sales groups - a challenge she enjoyed and was uniquely prepared for thanks to her global mindset.
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Today, Julianne continues to give back to her alma mater as Chair of OSU’s Food Science & Technology Advisory Board and Vice Chair of the College of Agricultural Sciences Campaign Cabinet. She credits her Japan experience with giving her the confidence to take bold leaps.
“It was gutsy and certainly not easy,” she admits. “My time in Japan showed me the challenges and rewards of adventure, brought life-long friendships, and helped me develop my leadership skills – especially the importance of understanding other cultures and flexibility in my thinking and work relationships.”
Julianne is a strong advocate for international learning, urging students to take advantage of the opportunities to gain experience in other cultures and expand their own capabilities through study abroad.
This feature was written by Michele Justice in conjunction with OSU Global Opportunities.
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