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!
As the skies turned grey and the Dartmouth Coach started to get packed, I came down with a case of homesickness. An entire year away from home was not easy; I missed a lot of important family time and watched milestones through a screen. I finished my last exam on the 25th of November and could not hold in my excitement to finally go home, despite the 24-hour or more journey ahead of me.
I got off the plane and was hit with a wave of hot and humid air, but I couldn't be happier. It is great to be home, especially for this season where I get to meet all my cousins and friends! Celebrating Christmas away from home is just not the same. The first drive around Colombo, Sri Lanka showed me everything I had missed; the constant bustling traffic and movement, the warm air and people out on the street!
An image of a pink and orange sunset with trees and vehicles on the road
Hanover during the winter break is pretty quiet, as most students leave campus. However, the college is putting in more effort every year to increase access to activities during winterim!
Housing communities host small dinners and events which are open to anyone, and meal plans extend into the break for all students. Plenty of international students stay on campus, a lot of the time because of costly plane tickets and travel conflicts. I want to emphasize that housing in between breaks is entirely covered by the college and meal plans are provided to students of high financial need.
Could not resist adding this beautifully painted Dartmouth ornament to our Christmas tree at home!
I do consider Dartmouth my "home", away from my actual home. I love my life there, but taking a six-week break in Sri Lanka is exactly what I need to recuperate and rest for the coming year!
A lot of fellow students and friends have asked me the question: "how did you join the People Places Pines team?" Let me tell you how students can join the team!
Dartmouth's dining options are reduced during winterim due to the significantly smaller number of students on campus. Find out about dining options during winterim, from a dietary, logistical, and financial perspective!
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!
