UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI'S CANNES LIONS STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE

Advice to Students, from Students

Every student is asked to write from their personal experience on the advice they would give to future Canes in Cannes.

Visit the student blog section to read advice directly from students. 

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To future Cannes-goers

  • Arrive a day early (if you can) It's so much better to have a day to adjust, sleep and explore.

  • Plan in advance and manifest who want to talk to and how you want to do it.

  • Go solo if your friends don’t want to go to the same talks that you are interested in. Put yourself first and make sure you get to the talks you want. You can always meet back up later.

  • Talk to strangers everyone has a story to tell and are at Cannes for different reasons but we all are connected through creativity and you never know whose business card you will get.

  • Don’t sleep in! Don’t skip talks because they are too early, the best ones start at 10am, so make sure you are ready for them

  • Pack clothes that are comfortable. It is going to be HOT. Like you are going to sweat buckets.

  • RSVP to everything. And use a work email if possible. It doesn't matter if you actually plan on going. It's better to be on the list just in case, rather than wandering around desperately looking for a party to get into.

  • Spend your time in between talks at the fringe tents. There's so many and so many cool things happening.

  • Be sure to check out the workshops in addition to the big seminars, forums and master classes. These are very cool and hands on learning. You also get a chance to interact with people you don't know from all over the world. 

  • Research top agencies and familiarize yourself with companies, not just individual names of big players. This will give you a much stronger foundaition for going to the festival.

  • Take advantage of the Cannes Lions archive when you get back and watch it all.

  • Stay a couple of extra days while you're in Europe and travel. You're already there. It's worth it.

  • Learn then names on the test and even ones not on the test. This is the most practical exam you will ever take because the information is actually helpful to know. 

  • Buy food at the grocery store and keep it in your backpack. Sometimes you’ll have a lineup of talks back-to-back “that’s why we pack the snacks.”

  • Be INDEPENDENT. If you want to go to a talk no one else is going to, GO. You can meet up with your friends afterwards. 

  • Study for the test BEFORE you get to Cannes. It's actually useful to know while you are there.

  • Research ahead of time. There are a ton of cool events happening that aren't on the main schedule! You're going to have to make choices and you'll change your mind a thousand times, but it's easier when you know what's happening before the festival begins.

  • Grab a few snacks at the beginning of the week to keep in your bag, but don't overdo it, there is SO much free food EVERYWHERE definitely take advantage of the free stuff.

  • Understand you will never be this young in this environment again.

  • Learn a few basic French phrases. In Cannes, most people speak English, but if you want to truly immerse yourself, learning even a few words makes a difference.

  • Don't overpack shoes. Leave space in your bags for gifts and purchases, you will shop!

PORTABLE CHARGER. That's it. Portable Charger.

What to Bring

Be prepared to SWEAT. Cannes is hot, and you’ll be walking a lot (comfort and practicality are key).

  • Dress comfortable the south of france can get as hot as Miami. Stick to light-colored, breathable fabrics.

  • Bring sunscreen, when hanging out at the sponsored beaches making connections you don’t want the sun to blow up your spot

  • Sunglasses

  • Hats the cover your face

  • Comfortable walking shoes

  • Girls bring a pair of heels! You won't want them often but if you go to certain clubs, you can't get in without them.

  • Bring a shoulder or hand-bag big enough to carry your essentials (fan, notebook, lip-stick, etc.)

  • Notebook + pens to document your day and right down your biggest takeaway from each talk

  • Portable Charger

  • Europe plug adapter (two is better than one)

  • Portable fan

  • When packing, use vacuum seal bags, they save so much room and keep your clothes organized (it’s a game changer).

  • Get some euros before you go, some places especially markets, don’t accept credit cards..

  • Ipad or laptop to keep at the hotel

Food Recs

Food Recs

  • Tuk Tuk Thai – So good, quick, and authentic.

  • Pitadine – I UberEats’d this and was shocked by how amazing it was.

  • La Piazza – Great vibes and good for big groups!

  • Medusa – Fun energy and a cool vibe.

  • Notebook + pens to document your day and right down your biggest takeaway from each talk

  • Portable Charger

  • Europe plug adapter (two is better than one)

  • Ipad or laptop to keep at the hotel