Wellness Resources
Health and Wellness Tips for International Students
1. Getting Vaccines in the U.S.
- Vaccines are readily available at pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens.
- Make sure to bring your online insurance card when getting vaccinated.
2. On-Campus Health Resources
- Wellness at Penn: Penn’s Student Health and Counseling teams provide outpatient care for all students on campus. Take advantage of their services for both physical and mental health needs.
3. Accessing Your Insurance Card (Penn Insurance)
- The Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP): You can find out more about the costs and provisions of the PSIP here
- If you are using the school-provided insurance, you can access your insurance card online:
- Note: The “insurance card” is not a physical card; it is an online page that you can show as proof of insurance.
*If you arrive before your insurance starts, consider purchasing travel insurance for the gap period. Without coverage, medical expenses in the U.S. can be significant if you need care.
Student Health and Counseling
Student Health and Counseling is the primary care and psychological care division of Wellness at Penn. Our state-of-the-art medical and counseling centers are designed to provide high-quality, compassionate care for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students during their academic journey. Student Health and Counseling is committed to providing safe, accessible, cost-effective, culturally-sensitive, and student-focused care. Our team provides care for acute and chronic health problems, preventative health services, as well as mental health and counseling, crisis management, and consultations.
VISIT STUDENT HEALTH AND COUNSELING
Public Health and Wellbeing
Wellness at Penn’s Public Health and Wellbeing division seeks to create a community of care through advocacy, education, and action. Our dedicated staff focuses on a wide variety of healthy living topics, including sleep hygiene, stress reduction, nutrition, exercise, and sexual health. Public Health and Wellbeing also consists of Immunization and Insurance Compliance, the Penn Farm, and the SUPER (Substance Use, Prevention, Education, and Recovery) Program.
VISIT PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLBEING
LEARN MORE ABOUT IMMUNIZATION AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
University Life
The Division of the Vice Provost for University Life (VPUL) is home to many resource centers, ranging in missions from academic, cultural, and career, to health and wellness. Student organizations are the lifeblood of much activity on campus and provide many leadership and community opportunities.
Penn Violence Prevention
Penn Violence Prevention (PVP) aims to engage the Penn community in the prevention of sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking on campus. The goal is to not only ensure students have access to safe and effective resources, but to provide preventative education focused on building healthy relationships, understanding consent, reaching out to friends in need, and being an active bystander. Members of the Penn community can visit the Penn Violence Prevention website for more information about support and reporting options, and educational programs.
Disabilities Services
The Weingarten Center provides services for students who self-identify with a disability in order to ensure equal access to all University programs, activities, and services. The process begins when a student requests accommodation, provides documentation of their condition, and meets with a Disability Specialist. Students who receive accommodations work with the Disability Services staff to coordinate their academic accommodation as well as accessible housing, dining, communication, and technology. Through ongoing collaboration with the Weingarten Center, students learn to identify and utilize individualized accommodations and strategies that support their full participation in university life.
The Associate Vice President for Equity and Title IX Officer
The Associate Vice President for Equity and Title IX Officer (AVP) is responsible for providing strategic leadership of the University’s efforts to comply with Title IX and foster gender equity. The AVP also oversees the investigation of complaints against Penn faculty, staff and enrolled students alleging violations of the Sexual Misconduct Policy.
The Associate Vice President for Equity and Title IX Officer works with the Penn community to implement the Sexual Misconduct Policy which became effective August 14, 2020. This office also works within the Penn community to educate students, faculty and staff about the process for responding to these complaints and assists with educational efforts to prevent sexual violence. Throughout the investigative process, the AVP ensures that those making complaints and those responding to complaints are treated fairly and respectfully.
Phone Resources | Wellness @Penn
- Student Health and Counseling (SHAC): 215-898-7021 (24/7 access to clinicians.)
- Student Intervention Services: 215-898-6081
- University Chaplain’s Office: 215-898-8456
- Penn’s Privacy Hotline: 215-726-6759 (If you have questions or concerns about possible violations of privacy policies or legal requirements)
- The University’s HELP Line: (215-898-HELP or 215-898-4357) is available 24/7 to respond and direct members of our community to the appropriate resources.