BCB 24 h Emergency Phone: number posted inside every BCB campus apartment
As all students at Bard College Berlin must have health insurance, they are strongly recommended to seek emergency attention wherever it is best or closest for them. Students are advised to always carry their health insurance card or insurance certificate with them.
Types of Emergencies
Physical Health Emergencies
For physical health emergencies, students are advised to refer to the emergency room of their nearest hospital. For on-campus students, Maria Heimsuchung Caritas Klinik Pankow, located at Breite Str. 46/47, 13187 Berlin (M1 stop Pankow Kirche) is the nearest hospital.
Emergency Phone Numbers:
Police: 110
Ambulance / Fire Department: 112
BCB 24hr Emergency Phone: number posted inside every BCB campus apartment (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
Mental Health Emergencies
For all mental health emergencies, students are advised to refer to the emergency room of their nearest psychiatric hospital. The one closest to campus is St. Joseph-Krankenhaus Berlin-Weißensee, located at Gartenstraße 1, 13088 Berlin, reachable by bus (255) from S+U Pankow.
BCB 24hr emergency phone: number posted inside every BCB campus apartment (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
Physical Health
Finding a Doctor
For all general medical concerns, students can visit any doctor who accepts their health insurance. It is recommended that students find a primary care doctor (Hausarzt/Facharzt für Allgemeinmedizin), who can also refer them to medical specialists as needed.
Most health insurances have a website or phone number students can use to find a doctor close to where they live as their primary care doctor.
The Student Life staff can provide students with the contact of English-speaking primary care doctors or specialists and can assist in making appointments if students are unable to do so on their own.
Mental Health
For all mental health concerns, Bard College Berlin students have access to free psychological counseling services and mental health support provided by counselors from Linden Global Learning & Support Services. Student Life staff and trained peer advisors (BRAVE Peer Advisors) also assist students in finding mental health specialists.
How to book an appointment To make an appointment, simply click on the booking link and select a counselor and time that works for you. You will receive a booking confirmation via email and the appointment will appear in your digital calendar. If you have any issues with the booking link, please email us at [email protected] Please only schedule ONE session at a time. If you feel you would like a follow up session, you can make an appointment with your counselor during or after your session. If you are having difficulty finding an available slot, Bard College Berlin Student Life staff is happy to assist you with finding alternative short-term or emergency support. Please carefully read and sign the confidentiality agreement before you start working with a counselor. You can also find this form in the booking link.
Sessions per Student Counselors help build resilience and independence through short term counseling. Typically, 2-4 sessions are sufficient for most students during a term. You are entitled to 5 sessions during each term. However, if you and your counselor determine that additional sessions would be necessary, you are entitled to more sessions to help you feel equipped to successfully manage the stressors of university life.
Missed sessions When we don't have consistency with sessions, it can be much harder to get that comfort we strive for and the effectiveness we want. If you can no longer attend a scheduled session, please let your counselor know in writing at least 48 hour in advance or reschedule your session. When you reschedule or cancel your appointment on time, counselors can free up your spot for other students. Students who miss 2 appointments within a semester may have counseling services restricted for the rest of the term.
What to expect from a Linden Counselor…
Highly qualified international mental health specialists certified in their home countries
Compassionate, solutions-focused approaches to counseling, building on strengths, and fostering resilience
Strict privacy and confidentiality policy. GDPR and HIPPA compliant video conferencing platforms.
A non-judgemental counseling approach. All students are welcome regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression
BRAVE Peer Advisors representative speaks to fellow students at the Student Involvement Fair
BRAVE Peer Advising
BRAVE is a professionally directed student-service organization whose members provide anonymous and confidential crisis intervention, supportive counseling, advocacy, and ongoing education to the Bard community.
BRAVE Peer Advisors are trained Bard College Berlin students that act as confidential contacts and resources for fellow students in need of support. They organize programs and awareness events throughout the semester and are available to members of the student body needing to talk to someone. They refer students to professionals as needed.
In previous semesters, BRAVE Peer Advisors have organized hikes, meditation and yoga events, mindfulness workshops, discussions and other awareness programs.
Disability Accommodations
Bard College Berlin is committed to providing appropriate accommodations for students with a certified disability in order for them to complete their program of study.
In support of this mission, the College provides services and reasonable accommodations to self-identified students who present the appropriate documentation.
In order to avail of such services and accommodations, students are asked to complete the disability registration form and submit it along with the accompanying documentation. Students wishing to provide information in advance or discuss the disability registration process should email [email protected].
Students studying at a state-recognized college or university in Germany are legally required to have a valid health insurance for the duration of their enrollment. A valid health insurance is needed to enroll at Bard College Berlin and must be maintained during semesters of study abroad or leave of absence, regardless of location during these semesters.
Health Insurance Options
German Public Health Insurance
(e.g. AOK, BKK, GKK, TK) Students have the possibility to sign up to German public health insurance upon enrollment at Bard College Berlin. It allows students to go to most doctors and specialists without receiving a bill. All that is needed for a doctor’s appointment is a valid health insurance card. For prescription medication, some medical appliances and hospital visits small co-pays may be necessary.
German public health insurance cards come with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which is valid in most other European countries.
Private Health Insurance
Students with a private health insurance in Germany are generally billed for their doctor’s visits and then reimbursed by their insurance provider. This includes prescription medication, medical appliances and hospital stays. Some private health insurances may have direct billing relationships with certain doctors and hospitals so that no pre-payment is necessary.
Students who would like to keep an existing private health insurance instead during their studies need to apply for a waiver from German statutory public health insurance upon enrollment.
GeoBlue
Visiting students on Bard Abroad Programs (Arts and Society, LAB or Begin in Berlin) are insured through GeoBlue for the duration of their enrollment at Bard College Berlin. GeoBlue is a private health insurance with direct pay relationships with a number of doctors and hospitals in Berlin.
Students insured through GeoBlue need to apply for a waiver from German statutory public health insurance upon enrollment.
