Take your education beyond the classroom
Success in advertising, branding, and marketing isn’t just about creativity – it’s about thinking globally. The best in the industry understands how culture, strategy, and innovation come together to shape the world’s most impactful campaigns. By immersing yourself in an international learning experience, you’ll gain fresh perspectives, industry-leading insights, and connections with top global professionals that will set you apart as you begin your career.
And what better place to do it than the French Riviera, surrounded by the biggest names in advertising and branding at Cannes Lions?
What’s the class
The French Rivera + CIC Faculty + CIC Alumni + Exclusive access to the world’s top advertising and branding minds
Step into the epicenter of global creativity at Cannes Lions, the world’s most prestigious 5-day advertising and brand communication festival. This is more than just a trip — it’s an immersive, career-defining experience where you’ll learn from industry legends, witness groundbreaking campaigns, learn about the top technologies and AI solutions that are shaping the industry, and gain the kind of insights and connections that set top talent apart.
Put simply, Cannes Lions is the ultimate stage — our Super Bowl.
Who can go: This trip is open to all USC majors; however, students pursuing advertising, branding, marketing, public relations, visual communications and production, graphic arts, design, or information and data science related to these fields will be best suited to the experience and gain the most from the conference. No prerequisites required.
Class size: 30 – A limited number of students will be accepted this year, so serious applicants should submit their interest form promptly to secure an interview.
Language barriers: You do not need to know French to attend. Cannes Lions is a global conference, and all sessions are conducted in English. Both Cannes and nearby areas are heavily English-speaking, making it easy to navigate and participate.
Pre-departure
To participate in the Cannes Lion trip, you must attend four mandatory meetings before the class begins. These meetings will occur in February, March, and April of 2027, with a virtual session in June prior to trip departure.
During the trip, you’ll:
- Engage in exclusive workshops, panels, and networking with the biggest names in advertising, marketing, and brand strategy.
- Hear from top agency and brand executives in high-impact keynote sessions.
- Access world-class creative work and industry-shaping trends before they hit the mainstream.
- Attend prestigious award ceremonies, celebrating the most innovative and influential campaigns.
- Expand your global perspective in branding, advertising, marketing, public relations, and visual communication.
- Build connections with top global agencies, brands, and USC Alumni that can shape your future career.
- Develop a competitive edge through firsthand exposure to award-winning marketing, PR, and creative strategy.
- Experience the French Riviera, including a day trip to Antibes, home to one of Europe’s largest yachting harbors, an opportunity to scuba dive in the Mediterranean, and time to explore neighboring coastal towns throughout the South of France.
This is your chance to go beyond the classroom, beyond borders, and straight to the heart of the industry’s biggest stage. Are you ready?
Trip Program Costs: $4,115
Includes: Daily accommodations, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity week-long conference pass (approximately $1,500 per student), meals onsite during the conference, welcome dinner, transportation to Antibes
Additional costs:
- Airfare: $900 - $1,300
- USC tuition for a 3-credit course (in-state tuition for all)
- $180 required fee for USC Study Abroad application and includes international emergency insurance
- Spending money for additional meals, snacks, souvenirs, or any additional local excursions.
Trip leaders:
For more information reach out to Kristin Walker, kristin_walker@sc.edu
Application and Deposit
Do not wait too long — there are limited spots, and we expect this class to fill very quickly as last year’s trip had an unprecedented number of applicants.
Students must first submit an application and complete a mandatory interview. If offered a seat in the class, you will then be prompted to submit a $600 deposit to secure your spot. The deposit is 100% refundable until Nov. 15, 2026.
Not ready to commit yet? You are still encouraged to submit the application so we can keep in touch with you. (Please note: your spot is not secured until the deposit is received following acceptance.)
Apply Now
After submitting your application, be sure to check your email for details on scheduling a mandatory interview as part of the selection process.
Scholarships/Tuition Assistance
Limited scholarship money is available through the Mary Caldwell Scholarship.
- Scholarship Application Deadline: December 1, 2026.
Need more information?
Email Cannes Study Abroad lead Kristin Walker at kristin_walker@sc.edu