The Buddy Project of the MSc in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: a success story

The first edition of the Buddy Project has recently come to a close, marking a successful pilot initiative to support international students at the University of Milan.

 Launched last autumn within the MSc in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, the project aimed to ease the transition into university life for international students, addressing challenges such as administrative procedures, housing and culture shock. Around fifteen students from Iran, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, India, Algeria, Syria and South Africa took part in the project, alongside an equal number of Italian students who, as “buddies”, helped them settle in Milan and navigate the Italian university system. The project concluded with a final event on 29 May 2026 on the Via Balzaretti campus, which provided an opportunity to take stock of this enriching experience.

Strongly endorsed by the Head of the MSc in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Professor Maurizio Crestani, this pilot edition of the Buddy Project is just the starting point of a broader strategy, as the University plans to extend the initiative to other degree programmes. Even with a small pool of participants, the Buddy Project has already proven its lasting impact beyond its conclusion: friendships and collaborations have formed and continue to develop, highlighting the value of peer-to-peer support and community building within the University.

“The project,” says Professor Crestani, “stemmed from our observation of the challenges that international students face when starting the MSc programme in our city. Most of them encounter basic practical difficulties, like obtaining a residence permit, opening a bank account, finding an apartment and navigating university bureaucracy (how to register for exams, how to submit their study plan, how to find a lab internship). Additionally, some students struggle with oral assessments, as these are not so common outside Italy, so we were also looking to improve their communication and presentation skills.”

“The Buddy Pilot Project,” said Vice Rector for Internationalisation Paola Catenaccio, “reflects our commitment to building a university community where every student feels welcomed, supported and valued. Creating a sense of belonging is not only essential for individual success, but also for the collective success of our academic community. By fostering meaningful connections between students, we help international students feel at home in Milan and encourage them to see Italy as a place where they can study, grow, and build their future. Initiatives like the Buddy Project — which we aim to expand in the next academic year, making it a standard feature of our degree programmes — strengthen the social fabric of our University and contribute to making Milan an increasingly attractive destination for talented students from around the world.”

“In the next academic year,” added Professor Crestani, “we will focus on recruiting more buddies and matching them with new international students. Moreover, we will work on further refining the project based on the useful feedback we have collected from this year’s participants.”