Buddy Project

Starting from the academic year 2015-2016, Politecnico di Milano has implemented a Buddy Project: this foresees a match between new international students and students who are already enrolled, who will assist new students in the phase prior to their arrival and in the first few months after their arrival.
The first months are the most challenging for someone who comes from a far-away country and needs to adapt not only to a new academic environment but to a culture and traditions often distant from his/her own.

A warm welcome can make the difference!

If you want to help a new international student overcome the same difficulties you’ve faced arriving at Politecnico, you can apply to become a Buddy, a companion who will be an important reference before and during the first adaption period.

• contacts the International Mentee whom he/she is matched before and after their arrival
• can participate  in cultural events and activities organized at Politecnico, addressed to Buddies and new International Mentee
• helps the new International Mentee(s) become familiar with the campus and its facilities as well as the city and its opportunities
• He/she facilitates the understanding of the didactic organization: structure of the academic year, lectures, exams
• addresses the International Mentee to the offices competent for specific issues
• is willing to dedicate some time to meet the new International Mentee whom he/she will be entrusted

• You will come in contact with different cultures without moving from home
• You will make new friends
• You will improve your English language knowledge and be able to practice other foreign languages
• You’ll develop skills and contacts which will turn out to be useful in the job market

Students who have carried out the activity of Buddy during the semester of reference, will be able to obtain an Open Badge: an electronic certification, internationally recognized, that certifies the skills acquired during the Buddy activities. 

In order to obtain the Badge you will need to complete at least 4 of the following activities:

• participation in the training day
• participation in at least one of the events organized by the University for the Project
• organization of activities together with your International Mentee outside the university (e.g.: aperitifs, visits, trips, airport pick-up etc..)
• assistance to the International Mentee through telematic channels (e.g.: e-mail, whatsApp, other channels through which the exchange of information can be proved)
• completion of the final questionnaire
• positive feedback from the International Mentee through a questionnaire that will be provided at the end of the semester project

The Community Life and Merchandising office will take note of all the presences during the activities organized by the University. For those activities carried out independently, you will be asked to upload the related documents through a form provided after the selection.

To find out more information about the My Open Badge you can check this website.

Students who have been awarded the Open Badge (requirements are outlined in the previous paragraph) will also have their Buddy activity recognized on the Diploma Supplement.

The Diploma Supplement, or DS, is a document that complements the official qualification awarded upon completion of a study programme at a university or higher education institution. The DS describes the nature, level, framework, content and status of the studies undertaken and completed by the student following the eight-point model, developed on the European Commission, the Council of Europe and UNESCO's initiative.

Students enrolled in the a.y. 2025/20266 at Politecnico di Milano to a Laurea (equivalent to Bachelor of Science) or a Laurea Magistrale (equivalent to Master of Science) programme who intend to graduate after the March/April 2026 session (the project will end in June 2026).

Students who can request a Buddy are the Exchange students and new international students admitted to a Bachelor or a Master of Science program for the second semester of the academic year 2025/2026.

Remember! A Buddy must be motivated and available, friendly and patient!
 

Application opens from 12th to 30th January 2026

You will receive the outcome of your application starting from 9th February 2026, by e-mail.

Enter the online services and fill in your application by accessing the option:

Selection procedures (under the Application forms section) > Domanda per diventare un Buddy – I want to be a Buddy.

You just need to fill out the information regarding personal data, known languages and hobbies; no bank information is required, the project is free of charge.

Before sending your application, please read the Buddy Memorandum carefully.

The project lasts five months from February to June 2026.

It is not required a special training, the Community Life and Merchandising Unit will support you in achieving the necessary skills that will help you play the role of Buddy in the best way.

The staff will organize a training day online in order to explain you how the Project works and to answer all your questions and will send you by e-mail some information material.

You will be also invited to take part in meetings, games and events in which you will strengthen your relationship with the students whom you will be entrusted.

Buddies will be matched with new International Mentees based on their study programme, known languages, and personal interests, as indicated in the application form.

Please note that matching cannot be guaranteed for all applicants, as it depends on the total number of candidates. In the event of a significant imbalance between the number of Buddies and Mentees, priority will be given to those who applied first.

Depending on the number of applicants, each Buddy may be assigned to one or two International Mentees.

The project is coordinated by Community Life and Merchandising Unit
Politecnico di Milano
E-mail: buddy-system@polimi.it