Health and Safety
Studying abroad can be a truly wonderful and unique experience. However, critical and unexpected situations cannot always be avoided. Here you will find information just in case something does happen. With this in mind, have fun, enjoy your time in Cologne and take good care of yourself!
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Help in Emergencies
Emergency numbers (free and available 24/7)
| Kategorie | Beschreibung |
|---|---|
| Police | 110 |
| Fire Brigade / Rescue Services | 112 |
| nora - emergency call app |
You can use the app to make emergency calls without having to speak.
nora - Notruf-App |
| Telephone counseling (for mental health emergencies, in German only) | 0800/111 0 111 or 0800/111 0 222 |
| Telephone counseling in other languages | Telephone counseling - International assistance |
| Virtual Support Talks |
Volunteer trained listeners support you with insecurities, self-doubt, loneliness, anger, helplessness, frustration, restlessness, excessive demands and everything that can burden a person.
We listen to all questions of life, free of charge and without judgement. Also in various foreign languages.
You need speaking time? We listen to you! |
Physical Health
Ärztin berät Patientin
(Image: bnenin/stock.adobe.com)
Search for doctors
If you are looking for medical care in a doctor's office or in a hospital, the following websites can help you:
How to find a multilingual doctor
Please be sure to bring your health insurance card with you to every medical visit.
Not all private health insurances issue a health insurance card. If you have not received a card from your private insurance company, please take the insurance certificate with you. Some providers will issue you a separate document, which you should present to the doctor. It contains important information for billing purposes.
Emergency Services
If you fall ill on a weekend or outside regular office hours and need urgent medical help, you can find information about the emergency services at the following links.
Please always bring your health insurance card with you to the medical consultation.
Not all private health insurance companies issue a health insurance card. If you have not received a card from your private insurance provider, please bring your insurance certificate with you. Some providers will issue you a separate document, which you should present to the doctor. It contains important information for billing purposes.
Apotheken-Logo
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Pharmacies also have emergency services so you can get medications at night and on weekends.You can find out which pharmacies offer emergency services via notices put up in every pharmacy or online under the Emergency Service Search.
Mental Health
Studying abroad can be exciting, but also challenging. Sometimes there are circumstances that can weigh on you—for example, homesickness, stress, uncertainty, or feeling overwhelmed. This is completely normal, and you are not alone!
Psychological counseling services can help you overcome these challenges—confidential, free of charge, and respectful.
Why psychological counseling?
In many countries, it is rather unusual to talk openly about mental health issues, or it is even considered a sign of weakness. Personal matters are usually kept hidden within the family or close circle of friends.
However, sometimes it is helpful to talk to a neutral person who is specially trained and understands your situation.
That is why we would like to encourage you to try the following counseling services.
The counselors know that cultural differences are important. They will listen to you openly – without judgment and in complete confidentiality.
What can you expect?
- Confidential conversations – Everything you say remains confidential and will not be passed on to the university.
- Free & uncomplicated – You don't have to pay anything. You can make an appointment online.
- Get appointments quickly – Every effort will be made to support you quickly.
- Help with
- Exam anxiety and performance pressure
- Study stress/pressures during your studies and their impact on your academic progress
- Personal and family crises
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Worries, fears, low mood, and emotional stress
- Mental illness
- Disorientation and lack of perspective
- Or even if you don't know exactly what's wrong, but feel that it would be good to talk to someone in confidence.
Who can I talk to?
Psychological Counseling provided by
the Kölner Studierendwerk
Crisis counseling provided by
Central Academic Advising Office
+49 221-8275-3615
krisenberatung@th-koeln.de
Do I need special health insurance to take advantage of this offer?
No, the counseling services are open to all students at TH Köln.
What happens during the counseling?
You can talk about anything that is bothering you. The counselor will listen and help you find solutions.
Do I have to inform my university that I am seeking counseling?
No, the counseling is confidential and independent.
Study with disability, chronic or mental illness
Statistically, about eleven percent of all students have a handicap. These include physical impairments, chronic illnesses such as diabetes or tumours, dyslexia and mental illnesses such as depression. Your impairment should not be an obstacle to your studies, so make use of our counseling services!
Safety
Tips for everyday study life
- Safety
- Warn App NINA in the App Store With the emergency information and news app, in short warning app NINA, you receive important warnings from the civil protection. You can change the language in the app.
- Warn App NINA in the Google Play Store
Germany is a safe country - even by international standards. The police are trustworthy and available around the clock. A call to 110 is all it takes.
It is not only the police who help international students in emergency situations. Almost every country in the world has an embassy and consulates in Germany. If problems arise, there are also local contact persons from the home country.
Lost and Found
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Lost and Found Offices - Seek and you shall find!
If you should ever lose your wallet, bag or backpack, forget it on public transportation or have it stolen in the commotion, you can turn to various lost-and-found offices.
Note: Report the loss to the police immediately. Please note that it can take up to two weeks for lost property handed in to the police, for example, to arrive at a lost and found office and be registered.
MultiCa gone?
If your MultiCa is damaged, invalid or lost, the Office of Student and Examination Services on your campus will issue you a new card.
