Italy has a long and rich academic tradition, with some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. Italy is a leader in many fields of higher education, especially in design, architecture, applied sciences, arts and many more. Italy is part of the Bologna Process, which aims to create a common European Higher Education Area and foster student mobility and academic cooperation. It offers a diverse and flexible higher education system, with different types of institutions and degrees that suit different needs and interests. Italy provides students with a rich cultural and social experience, as one of the most beautiful and historic countries in Europe.