How a Study Abroad to Cannes, France Shaped One Ad Student’s View of Creativity
By: Riley Walsh
Fourth-year ad creative student, Amanda Mudry, learned that creativity looks different for everyone, in every corner of the world, all thanks to her ADPR summer study abroad program.
Mudry transferred to MSU after her first year at Indiana University. In summer 2025, she completed a five-week study abroad program with the MSU’s Department of Advertising and Public Relations where she traveled across Europe, including Italy, France and Spain. During that program, she had an amazing experience at the Canne Lions International Festival of Creativity, where she saw influencers, TV personalities and advertising professionals. One speaker that really stuck out to her was “The Tonight Show” host and SNL alum, Jimmy Fallon.
“He talked about creativity, which is what I must have in my advertising work. He said you must be weird, even if you think an idea is dumb, it might not turn out dumb,” Mudry said.
She says Fallon went on to talk about his new TV show, “On Brand,” which debuted in fall 2025. The show focuses on marketing challenges for the contestants, a premise that resonated because of what Mudry does in many of her classes.
The Cannes Lion also highlighted key differences between U.S. marketing vs. marketing in other countries through its various global marketing and advertising campaigns.
“American people will think something is so funny and then British people will be like that’s not funny, so you have to know your audience even just for the smallest tweaks,” said Mudry.
As she looks to graduation, Mudry says she hopes to work at an advertising agency to gain experience with many different industries, whether it be the food and beverage industry or even working in politics. Whatever her path may be, Mudry says her study abroad program gave her a once in a lifetime opportunity to get outside of her comfort zone and receive invaluable experiences for her future career.
“I just think agency work is so fun, I know it’s always something new, I don’t want to do the same thing every day,” she said.
Mudry looks back on her study abroad experience warmly and is taking the lessons she learned on staying creative and continuing to use new perspectives when considering different audiences.
For a more in depth look at the ADPR a la Mediterranean program, visit the website here: https://msueducationabroad.via-trm.com/program_brochure/10966
