Bologna (pronounced “Bo-loan-ya”, not “Baloney”) is the capital and the largest city of the Emilia Romagna region of northern Italy. The seventh most populous city in Italy, it sits at the heart of a large metropolitan area of about one million people. As a student, you will not feel out of place in Bologna; you might even mix in with the local students attending the University of Bologna (one of the oldest and most famous universities in Europe).

With lavish porticoed walkways and squares, fine historic buildings, and an interesting medieval city center, Bologna is truly what Italian dreams are made of. The city is also known for some of the best cuisine in Italy--the original home of balsamic vinegar, parmesan cheese, parma ham, and Bolognese sauce. Basically, all of the things to put on a fresh plate of homemade pasta. As if anything else needs to be said, it's the perfect location to immerse yourself in authentic Italian culture.

The Ospedale Maggiore "Carlo Alberto Pizzardi" belongs to the Azienda Sanitaria Locale (local health authority) of Bologna, together with Ospedale Bellaria "C. A. Pizzardi.'' It is the second biggest hospital of the city, with more than 900 beds. The hospital is made up of three main buildings of 15 floors, as well as several other smaller buildings. Among these, the two biggest are the Maternity Hospital and the Infectious Diseases Department. The newest tower (Building D) even has a heliport on the roof. The Maggiore Hospital has the biggest and most crowded medical laboratory of Italy, one of Europe's most prominent, with more than 18 million tests per year.