Voices of Jelper Club Members — Ririka Saito, McGill University '25

This time, we had the pleasure of speaking with Ririka Saito, a passionate Food Science and Nutrition double major at McGill University. Inspired by her early childhood experience living in Germany, she developed a keen interest in exploring new cultures and global opportunities. In this interview, she shares how her fascination with cooking and health led her to pursue both Food Science and Nutrition, the internships that helped shape her career path, and how she landed a role at a major Japanese food and beverage company through Jelper Club.

Discover how Ririka plans to bring her international perspective and research background to the world of product development—and pick up some tips for your own career journey along the way.

Ririka Saito

―― First, could you please introduce yourself?

Ririka: Nice to meet you, my name is Ririka Saito. I was double majoring in Food Science and Nutrition at McGill University and graduated this summer. I lived in Germany for about a year and a half when I was a child, and that experience made me want to live abroad again, which is what initially sparked my interest in studying at an overseas university. I chose McGill because it offers a program where I could major in both Food Science and Nutrition, and it also has a strong internship program. During university, I’ve participated in food-related research and internships.

Through the Jelper Club platform, I received a full-time job offer from a major Japanese food and beverage company, and I’m set to join their fundamental research division starting this October.

―― Out of all the overseas universities, why did you choose McGill University?

Ririka: As I mentioned earlier, the ability to study both Food Science and Nutrition and the availability of solid internship opportunities were major factors. Also, having lived in Germany when I was younger, I was already interested in studying abroad. I felt that McGill aligned well with both my academic interests and my vision for the future.

―― Why did you decide to double major in Food Science and Nutrition?

Ririka: I’ve always been good at science subjects and considered various fields, but since I also love cooking and eating, I wanted to pursue a field that could combine what I’m good at and what I love. That led me to choose Food Science. Additionally, I’ve always had a desire to enjoy delicious food while also being health-conscious, which made me want to study Nutrition as well.

―― Did your time in Germany or your high school environment influence your decision to study abroad?

Ririka: Yes. My time in Germany as a child left me with a lasting desire to experience life outside of Japan. Also, I attended an IB (International Baccalaureate) program in high school, and many of my friends aimed for overseas universities, so naturally, I began looking abroad as well.

―― Could you tell us more about your internships during university?

Ririka: I interned at a Japanese food startup and a foreign food company, both in R&D department. Since I’m studying both Food Science and Nutrition, I wanted to experience R&D in a variety of companies, so I gained experience at two firms.

―― Why did you decide to work in Japan?

Ririka: Through my internships and research in product development, I realized I really wanted to create products that suit my own tastes. I also feel a strong connection to Japanese food culture, and I believed that if I wanted to bring my ideal products to life, working for a Japanese company would be the best fit.

―― What led you to decide on joining the fundamental research division of a major Japanese food and beverage company?

Ririka: While I also considered pursuing graduate studies, my strong desire to contribute to product development ultimately led me to choose a path where I could gain hands-on experience at a major manufacturer, working closer to actual product creation. I chose to join the fundamental research division because I wanted to apply the research skills I had cultivated at university and further deepen my expertise in a specialized field.

―― How did you find out about Jelper Club?

Ririka: A friend introduced me to the platform. We were job hunting together, and they told me, “There’s this kind of platform you should check out.”

―― What was your experience like using it?

Ririka: Japanese job hunting often involves broad categories like “general positions,” but Jelper Club made it easy to find job listings that matched exactly what I wanted to do, such as “food product development”.

Also, since I studied abroad, I wanted to maintain some international connection. It was appealing that many job listings involved global work or used English as the primary working language.

Feature-wise, I found it really helpful that there were threads where you could share job hunting info anonymously. Thanks to those threads, I was able to get insights and information I couldn’t find anywhere else.

―― Do you have any advice for fellow Jelper Club members who are job hunting?

Ririka: First and foremost, it’s important to clarify what you really want to do. In the beginning, it's easy to focus only on big-name companies, but it’s more effective to clearly convey your passion for the specific field you're interested in. That passion will come across during application screening and interviews. I think job hunting based on what you truly enjoy is the key.

―― Lastly, do you have a message for other Jelper Club members or anyone reading this article?

Ririka: I’d love to connect with Jelper Club members from around the world and chat about all things food! If you know any delicious local dishes or must-try restaurants in your country, I’d really love to hear your recommendations. Feel free to message me on Jelper Club—let’s share our favorite food finds and have some fun food talk together!

At Jelper Club, we’re committed to connecting ambitious students and graduates with unique opportunities across Japan. Whether you’re passionate about food like Ririka or exploring other fields, our platform can help you discover exclusive openings, access practical resources, and join a community of like-minded peers. For those looking to follow Ririka’s path—or carve their own—register with Jelper Club today.

(Interviewer/Editor: Jelper Club Editorial Team)