With its impressive historical heritage, popular cuisine, friendly people, and beautiful landscape, it is easy to see why many students are drawn to Italy. The country boasts more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country and also has the oldest university in the world: the University of Bologna. Italy is often called the boot of Europe, as it resembles the shape of one on a map. The country is bordered by France in the northwest, Switzerland, and Austria to the north, and Slovenia to the northeast. It is also the fourth most populous European Union (EU) country and has the eighth largest economy in the world. Although a relatively small country, the weather in Italy varies considerably from north to south. For example, in the mountainous alpine areas of the north, temperatures can be cold during winter, making it a popular skiing area. At the same time, in the south, temperatures rarely drop below the 40s