Broad College strengthens cross-cultural connections through International Buddy Program

In an increasingly globalized world, cross-cultural connections are essential for both personal and professional growth. Recognizing this, the Broad College of Business established the International Buddy Program, an initiative designed to strengthen relationships between Michigan State University’s international students and domestic students. 

The program’s inception was guided by benchmarking and focus groups of past and current international students in the Broad College led by Paul Balas, executive in residence for global mindset initiatives. This effort highlighted a crucial challenge faced by international students: not just language barriers or academic adjustments, but the difficulty in building social connections with their domestic peers. Alumni expressed a strong desire for more opportunities to form friendships with American students during their time at Broad. 

In response to these findings, the Broad College created the International Buddy Program to foster meaningful relationships between domestic and international students. The initiative is led by Guanglong Pang, assistant director of education abroad and global engagement.  

“As a former international student myself, the program holds a special place in my heart because I personally understand the excitement and challenges of integrating into a new culture,” he said. 

Terah Ceccarelli (left) and Ana Fraga

The program provides a crucial support system to ease international students’ transition to academic and social life in the United States. Domestic students gain firsthand experience in intercultural communication and the ability to translate such a skill for global business practices — both valuable in today’s workforce. Both groups benefit from strengthened communication skills, cultural competency and an expanded professional network. 

“This program helped me to be more open when meeting new people,” Ana Fraga, a first-year accounting major and an international student from Venezuela, said. “Me and my buddy share similar interests, and we really like to talk about our past and future travels. Which is always good because that way we can both learn about different cultures around the world, not just ours.”

Now in its second year, the International Buddy Program continues to evolve, offering diverse and engaging experiences. In its initial phase, the program facilitated group outings, including visits to an apple orchard owned by a Broad alum and a corporate tour of PwC’s Detroit office. Additionally, alumni-led dinners featured guest speakers from organizations such as Delta Dental, Amazon Web Services and Deloitte, providing students valuable networking opportunities. 

This year, the program is shifting towards more student-driven initiatives. New activities include campus scavenger hunts for paired buddies and multiple social events designed to build a sense of community. Terah Ceccarelli, a sophomore in finance, described how last semester’s scavenger hunt encouraged buddies to explore various locations on campus, take selfies and complete challenges by a certain deadline. 

“My favorite memory of the program so far is when my buddy Ana and I went and walked around North Campus,” Ceccarelli said. 

“The takeaway from these activities is simple: the program helps students connect, build lasting relationships and learn from each other’s diverse backgrounds,” Pang said. 

The program has attracted around 50 participants this semester, maintaining an even balance between domestic and international buddies. With continued recruitment efforts, the goal is to expand awareness and participation, ensuring that more students benefit from this unique experience. The long-term vision is to scale the program while preserving its emphasis on meaningful, student-driven connections. 

For international students, embracing their unique journey is crucial. The challenges of learning a new language, adjusting to academic norms and navigating a different cultural landscape all demonstrate resilience — qualities highly valued in the professional world. Rather than viewing these challenges as obstacles, students are encouraged to recognize them as strengths that set them apart. 

“I believe it is a great experience for both international and domestic students. It’s a great opportunity to meet and connect with people,” Fraga said. “For international students, it’s always good to know that there’s someone on campus you can rely on whenever you’re confused or concerned about something. It helps them become more open and active. As for domestic students, many don’t have the opportunity to travel or study abroad, so it’s a good way to learn about a different culture and make friends on a worldwide scale.”

For students considering the International Buddy Program, active engagement is key. Building a genuine relationship requires effort from both buddies. 

“I would say to show your interest by being active with what the program offers. Do not just wait until you’re told when the next event is or when your once-in-a-month meeting with your group will be. Take this as an opportunity to connect with others and create long-lasting friendships,” Fraga said. 

The International Buddy Program exemplifies the power of cross-cultural connections in shaping a global mindset. By facilitating friendships, cultural exchanges and professional growth, the program prepares students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. As the initiative continues to expand, it remains a testament to the Broad College’s commitment to fostering global engagement and development of a global mindset on campus.  

For more information, see the program’s one pager.