Lazio is a region in central Italy that borders the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its main city, Rome, is the capital of Italy and was the heart of the ancient Roman Empire. The Coliseum, an amphitheatre that could seat thousands, is one of its most famous ruins. The ancient port of Ostia on the coast still has detailed mosaics and a theatre. Inland, the Apennine Mountains are forested, with nature reserves, lakes, and stone-built villages. 

Aside from its aesthetic and culinary wonders, Italy also has some of the world’s oldest universities and is the originator of the Bologna process. Another area in which Italy has earned its pride is the provision of high-quality education. Education in Italy is highly valued, with a wide range of excellent academic institutions spread across the country that welcome international students. Italy has played an important role in academia, promoting European higher education reform through the Bologna Process.