Emily Robbins smiles at an overlook in the city of Consuegra, Spain, where she toured the La Mancha windmills and a castle built in the 10th Century. Photo courtesy of Emily Robbins.
If South Dakota FFA Alumna Emily Robbins could give current members a word of advice, it would be to expand your horizons by traveling outside the country. Now a junior at South Dakota State University (SDSU), Robbins served as the 2023-24 South Dakota FFA state sentinel and attended the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers (ILSSO),which was hosted in Spain and Portugal earlier this year.
“We visited farms, ranches and forests, and toured agriculture-focused businesses and beautiful cities,” Robbins says. “We were immersed in European cultures, and I made numerous connections back to my great state of South Dakota.”
Robbins is currently majoring in agricultural business with minors in agricultural marketing as well as land valuation and rural real estate. Through the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at SDSU, she explored New Zealand in May 2025, learning even more about agriculture across the globe.
“Without opportunities to visit other countries, I would never truly understand the possibilities in front of me,” Robbins says. “Traveling internationally has made me a more well-rounded individual with a higher cultural intelligence. I have carried the things I learned into my everyday life, and I’ve seen positive change and growth.”
Robbins shares the following takeaways from her adventures.
1. Be present wherever your feet are.
Before going to Spain, Robbins says she was always in “go mode,” waiting impatiently for what was to come. Traveling abroad, however, helped her become present each day and soak in every moment.
“It gave me a deeper appreciation of the little things and helped me realize there can be beauty and joy in everything,” she adds.
Robbins’ view of a tiny portion of “The Plastic Sea” in southern Spain. Photo courtesy of Emily Robbins.
2. Agriculture is a worldwide effort.
Attending ILSSO gave Robbins a firsthand look into agricultural operations that aren’t common in the United States.
“I learned about the production process and the true value of goods produced outside America that we rely on daily, such as olive oil and cork stoppers,” she says. “There’s a gap between consumers and the products they consume. International travel gave me the opportunity to close that gap and equipped me with knowledge to share back home.”
3. Everyone has a story to share.
This goes beyond the basic saying; it has become Robbins’ reality and shifted her perspective.
“By hearing others’ stories, I started to understand the context that shapes a community’s customs, beliefs and way of life,” she says. “My most cherished memories from Spain and Portugal are from genuine conversations and connections.”
4. Kindness is universal.
In moments of unfamiliarity, one thing remained the same to Robbins: her belief that kindness goes a long way.
“Whether it’s a simple smile, a polite gesture or a helping hand, kindness can transform any situation,” she says. “It can bridge cultural divides, and it’s the connector that’s present everywhere.”
5. Active listening and open-mindedness are key.
To do this, you must let go of your biases, ask thought-provoking questions and allow space for perspectives that challenge your own. “By doing so, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities you never knew existed,” Robbins says.
Robbins (fourth from right) made new friends from across the U.S. while attending the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers. Photo courtesy of Emily Robbins.
6. Your path can take you further than any boundaries you’ve set for yourself.
The biggest thing Robbins learned is it takes one step to change your attitude, your outlook and your life.
“Saying ‘yes’ to opportunities that have come my way has allowed me to become who I am today,” she says. “I encourage FFA members to travel abroad because you never know what you will learn, who you will meet, the memories you will make or the places you will discover if you don’t step outside of your comfort zone.”
Explore the World
Whether you’re a beginning or seasoned traveler, FFA provides several avenues for domestic and international experiences. Learn more about conferences like the International Leadership Seminar for State Officers, which is sponsored by Bunge and John Deere, and check out upcoming Alumni and Supporters events.
