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!
This is dedicated to the Black Family Visual Arts Center (BVAC), where I just spent six hours painting a pot. Now this may sound tedious, but it is actually really fun, I promise. When I came to Dartmouth I did not think I would ever take an art course and here I am taking my second one.
The Studio Art classes I am taking are located in the Black Family Visual Arts Center, which is home to the Studio Art, Film and Media Studies and Digital Humanities departments. However, you do not need to take a course to enter BVAC and use their study space! It is usually a quiet and calm place to study, in which I have been highly productive.
All Studio Art classes come with valuable material for which there is an extra fee of around 150 dollars. For my painting class, this includes many cans of paint, paintbrushes, palette knives, and other materials needed. The studio which I work in is a vast space with lots of light spilling in, as is needed for painting. It is quite easy to lose track of time and paint for hours.
The painting studio!
To get a Studio Art minor, students need to take seven Studio Art courses whereas a major requires ten. There are three required courses for a minor: Drawing 1, Painting 1 and Sculpture 1. There are six areas in which the remaining four courses for the minor can be in: architecture, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.
The class itself can be very demanding of time, as there is a process of mixing and layering the paints. I find it to be a lot more work than the drawing class I took last term, but I already find myself falling in love with it. There is a certain peacefulness in painting that I didn't know existed before. If you are considering taking a Studio Art class at Dartmouth, this is your sign.
Most students have to go back to college after Thanksgiving to take their finals, but not at Dartmouth! We have a six-week winter break, known as "winterim!" Let me tell you how I spent my winterim!
Applying early to a university can be overwhelming and confusing. As someone who did not apply to Dartmouth through early decision, here are a couple tips that I could have used when thinking about applying early to a school!
As a second-year at Dartmouth, I've embraced leadership roles that foster community, creativity, and support! Here's a look at how each role has shaped my journey.
