Taking Care of your mind, body, and soul
We recommend bringing prescribed medication with you.
All students will receive an Austrian health insurance card (e-card), for which we have applied for you. Please remember to check your mailboxes regularly! Until you receive this card, you will need to tell your healthcare providers that you are registered with the ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse) and give them your Austrian health insurance number, which you received from Dr. Pfefferle. You might need to pay a deposit.
When you visit ÖGK healthcare providers, present the card. For most services, there will be no charge. If you receive prescriptions after treatment, you have to go to a pharmacy (die Apotheke) to receive your medications. There may be a modest co-payment for prescriptions (die Rezeptgebühr).
Depending on how serious your condition feels, you have two options:
You can go and see a general physician.
You can go straight to the General Hospital (AKH Wien, it is a U6 subway station, “Allgemeines Krankenhaus”) and get checked in the clinic. You do not need an appointment. Simply go to the emergency room.
General Physicians (praktische Ärzte und Ärztinnen)
Dr. Gerald DOLHYJ
Address: Weintraubengasse 13, 1020
Wien
Phone: +43 1 2165383
Mo: 14-18 Uhr
Di: 15-18 Uhr
Mi: 9-12 Uhr and 15-18 Uhr
Do: 9-12 Uhr
Fr: 8-12 Uhr
Dr. Birgit HÖLLER
Address: Darwingasse 9/3, 1020 Wien
Phone: +43 1 2880710
Website: https://www.ordi-ums-eck.at/
Mo, Mi, Do: 8-12 Uhr
Di: 15-19 Uhr
Fr: 9-13 Uhr
Dr. Kerstin WÖRTHER
Address: Hammer-Purgstallgasse 5/1-2,
1020 Wien
Phone: +43 1 8903010
E-Mail: office@ozkv.at
Website: https://ozkv.at/
Mo, Di: 8-14 Uhr
Mi: 15-20 Uhr
Do: 9-17 Uhr
Fr: 7-12 Uhr
In the past, students have had particularly good experiences with the doctors mentioned below.
You may also find the following sites helpful to search for healthcare providers:
Choose healthcare providers who are associated with the ÖGK (formerly known as WGKK).
Dentists (Zahnärzte und Zahnärztinnen):
Dr. Friedrich PRODINGER
Address: Praterstraße 66, 1020 Wien
Phone: +43 1 214 13 78
Mo: 12-18 Uhr
Di: 12-18 Uhr
Mi: 9-14 Uhr
Do: 12-18 Uhr
Dr. Philipp SEKLEHNER
Address: Praterstraße 15/19, 1020 Wien
Phone: +43 1 214 63 13
E-Mail: info@zahnarzt2.at
Website: https://www.zahnarzt2.at
Mo, Di, Do: 9:30-13 Uhr and 14-17:30 Uhr
If you need help making an appointment, let us know.
Our emergency phone numbers
Alexandra Pfefferle: +43 664 9144294
To stay healthy, we recommend
that you exercise regularly, for example you could take a sports class at the Universitätssportsinstitut (usi.at).
We also suggest being sociable and open to making friends.
Join us at our IiVP events and connect with other US and Austrian students.
Talk to your lecturers to find out more about the academic culture in Vienna.
Work on strategies how to reduce stress and deal with anxieties.
Set yourself goals for this semester but don’t forget to take breaks.
Find a healthy balance. Eat and sleep regularly!
Take this study abroad experience as a chance for personal growth and positive change. Break a bad habit or let something new become a habit! Moving to another country is a great chance to try new things.
However, if you are experiencing any difficulties adjusting to your study abroad experience or simply having a very bad day – contact us! We understand these are challenging times and have plenty of ideas for you to feel better soon. Don’t wait to talk to someone if you do not feel well.
You have access to a variety of psychological/mental health support services
Take a look at the resources available to you from the University of Illinois Counseling Center!
Your Illinois International Travel Insurance Plan (Gallagher/AXA) also includes Remote Mental Health Counseling Services. See page 3 about downloading the app, and pages 8 and 9 for information specific to mental health support. You can access the remote mental health counseling services 24/7 by calling 1-866-693-6873 (from outside of the US) or 1-312-935-9242 (from inside of the US). If you have your insurance in the US through Illinois student insurance still, you also have other telehealth options.
The WU health care and emergencies website lists the following options for you right here in Vienna:
WU's Student Support
WU's Student Support offers a student counselling program as well as support for students with disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental disorders, and learning difficulties (see BeAble program). The offers are free of charge, confidential, and anonymous.
If you feel like you need support during your studies at WU, feel free to contact staff of the student support directly. You can find further information on the counselling program on the website of Student Engagement & Counselling.
Psychological Outpatient Clinic
The Sigmund Freud University service is located next to Campus WU.
Welthandelsplatz 3, ground floor, 1020 Vienna
Phone: +43 1 798 40 98 / 370
Email: psyambulanz@sfu.ac.at
Prices are based on your income and very reasonable. Please contact them beforehand to find out if you can get counseling in your first language.
The following services are offered by public institutions and are free of charge:
Psychological counseling for students
If you would like to speak to a professional about challenges you are facing during your studies, you can contact the Counseling Center for Students. Their offer is free of charge, confidential, and anonymous.
Lederergasse 35, 4th Floor, 1080 Vienna
Phone: +43 1 402 30 91
Email: psychologische.studentenberatung@univie.ac.at
Opening Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00am – 12:00pm, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
(On Tuesdays, only available in the afternoon)
Further, this institution offers an interesting and useful online guide called "Coming to a New Country", which is specifically addressing exchange students.
Social services hotline for Vienna (Sozialruf der Stadt Wien)
If you would like to speak to a social worker about problems you are facing in your life, contact the social services hotline for Vienna.
Phone: +43 1 53377 77
Email: sozialruf@m47.magwien.gv.at
Opening Hours: daily from 8:00am – 8:00pm
Social Psychiatric Emergency Service (Sozialpsychiatrischer Notdienst)
In cases of serious mental health problems, contact the social psychiatric emergency service. You will be able to speak with trained psychiatrists.
Gumpendorfer Straße 157, 1060 Vienna
Phone: +43 1 31330
Email: sndpost@psd-wien.at
Opening Hours: 24/7
Important emergency phone numbers in Austria
Fire Department (Feuerwehr): 122
Police (Polizei): 133
Emergency Medical Services (Rettung): 144
European Emergency Phone Number (EU-wide): 112
Medical Services for night-time and weekends (Ärztefunkdienst): 141
Poison antidote service: +3 1 406 43 43
Make sure to take care of your (mental) health! Stay happy and healthy!