Hi everyone! I'm Yehalah and I'm a '26 coming all the way from Colombo, Sri Lanka. My academic passions lie in Energy Engineering and Environmental Studies. I am a first-generation and low-income student, actively involved with the community. I love to paint and read during my free time. I'm excited that you're here, and I hope you enjoy this account of my life at Dartmouth!
Taking an art class has long been a dream of mine. Drawing 1 with Professor Enrico Riley exceeded my expectations greatly! He is an inspiring instructor who allowed us creative freedom, while guiding us in the right direction. We drew in different forms of charcoal, with colour introduced towards the end of the term. I loved my experience and I cannot wait to take another Studio Art class!
The sequel to Drawing 1 with Professor Enrico Riley! We worked in oil paint, which I was completely new to and admittedly afraid to use. I ended up falling in love with the medium and the flexibility it gave me to adjust and refine my paintings at any point in the process. I am sad to finish this class and I hope I get to take another Studio Art class in the future!
Moving to America was a drastic adjustment, especially considering the difference in perception of race and ethnicity. This class gave me a insight into past and current American oppression against Black and Indigenous communities. I loved how much I learnt through this class, which was also my First Year Seminar requirement.
My first language class at Dartmouth! Taking German was intimidating, especially because of the fast-paced and rigorous learning method that Dartmouth uses. It was so interesting to learn the different grammar and rules used in the German language. I cannot wait to use my Beginner German skills in Berlin next Spring!
The Sacred Architecture of Asia is one of the most incredible courses I have taken at Dartmouth! The course is primarily discussion-based, with Professor Seher explaining and initiating conversation about the course material. The material assigned was incredibly inspiring and taught me so much about South Asian religions and their beginnings. Everywhere I travel now, I think about the lessons I have learnt in this class and I am truly grateful to Professor Seher for facilitating an incredible learning experience!
Learning about German history in Berlin was a great way to explore the city and culture! The class had weekly excursions where we visited important sites in Berlin, which was so informative and helpful. Overall, I learnt so many new aspects of Germany and the people who played a significant role in German history.
SummerPerrysburg, Ohio
Interning at First Solar, a solar panel manufacturing company! I work on the Application Engineering team under Product Management, developing ways to better serve our clients and enhance our products. It has been an amazing experience so far, I have learnt so much and I am so grateful for this opportunity!
Coming from a country of endless summer and trees that are always green, the first fallen leaf I saw made me feel as if I was in a movie. In my mind, autumn always existed only in movies and books: a constructed image formed from other images, not from experience. This post consists of all things autumn and some things not so autumn. I'm still getting used to calling autumn fall so please bear with me, thank you.
New England Harvest Dinner!
Last Wednesday was the New England Harvest Dinner which celebrates Dartmouth's local and regional food partners! The food was delicious and easily the best dinner I have had at the Class of '53 Commons. There were all sorts of "fall food" as I was told, including apple cider donuts, maple ice cream, and many many pies.
This one is not exactly a "fall" element, but it involves the risk of falling, which does count (in my opinion). I found out I could skate on Saturday at a roller skating event hosted at the Collis Student Center by Collis After Dark, an organization that plans student events at night! I was extremely proud of myself for not falling flat on my face and adding to my collections of scars from falls around campus. As entertaining as it was to watch some of my friends fall both gracefully and completely ungracefully, I am so glad it was not me.
Roller Skating!
On Sunday, I went on a West House trip to Riverview Farm in Plainfield, New Hampshire. The farm was so beautifully maintained and picturesque. I entered a corn maze for the first time in my life and also saw my first apple tree ever! We picked raspberries, apples, and pumpkins and had hot apple cider and maple creemee ice creams. This is probably as autumn as autumn can get (I think!), but I'll wait to see what the next few weeks bring!
Through Dartmouth's Guarini Institute for International Study, I am getting to take classes and experience life at Wellesley College, an all-women's school!
Every Dartmouth student is required to demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English. Here's my experience navigating the language requirement!
