UW-Whitewater: Business major’s interest in agriculture leads to internship in China

Contact: Linda Reid

(262) 472-1326

reidl@uww.edu

WHITEWATER ­ Growing up on a farm in Seymour provided University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior and general business major Katie Rohm with interests that might seem inapplicable to a global education. She has taken her interest in agricultural business, however, and applied it to an internship on the other side of the globe.

Rohm currently works for the United States Office of Agricultural Affairs in Beijing, China. She is taking four courses at UW-Whitewater online this semester while she continues her internship in China.

“Since China is the United States’ No. 1 agricultural trading partner and the world’s largest/second largest producer of many agricultural products, it is of great concern what the Chinese government is doing,” Rohm said.

The adjustment to life in China was surprisingly easy for her. “I can find Subway, McDonalds, Dairy Queen, Coldstone Creamery and shopping centers all within walking distance and Starbucks litter every corner of my neighborhood,” Rohm said. “The only adjustment period was learning to work the bus system, which is one of the best I have ever used.”

While there is a language barrier working with Chinese members of her staff, Rohm says the combination of her broken Mandarin and their broken English make communication possible. “The Chinese like to indirectly state things,” she said. “When deciphering new Chinese food safety rules or China’s plans, they tend to use very ambiguous language or repeat themselves a lot.”

Part of Rohm’s responsibilities is to work through this ambiguity in order to report on the state of the agricultural industry in China, including food safety regulations set up by the Chinese government and the production of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products and more.

“My current internship gave me the opportunity to see what life was like in China, the agricultural industry here, and what it was like working for the government,” Rohm said. “I have learned that I truly enjoy working in the agricultural realm and enjoy knowing that the work I do is for the benefit of American farmers and the US food industry.”

Rohm has also taken time to immerse herself in the culture. “I did want to experience the local food and I frequently go to lunch with my Chinese colleagues, who take me to back-street restaurants,” Rohm said. “I also try to cook as much as I can so I can bring the recipes back to the States.”

This isn’t Rohm’s first experience working and studying abroad. This past summer, she studied abroad as part of the university’s undergraduate research program. Rohm studied the cheese markets in Scotland and Ireland, comparing sustainability practices with those in Wisconsin. While in Beijing this semester, she is continuing her research and writing on the subject.

“Katie started with firm interests but didn’t know how they could apply to her education,” said Rohm’s academic adviser, Professor Linda Reid. “Lots of doors opened up for her while at the university giving her a multitude of opportunities.”

Rohm’s last day in Beijing is Wednesday, Dec. 16. She will return to UW-Whitewater in time to walk in the Saturday, Dec. 19, commencement ceremony.