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!
I had my first birthday in the woods! I'm going to be completely honest- I was not enthusiastic about spending my birthday in Hanover; I was homesick and missing all my family and friends back home. I think the first birthday away from home is always difficult. It makes you realize how much of your life has changed and will be changed for the rest of your life. However, I managed to cope with my homesickness and ended up having the best weekend I've had since I got here!
On Friday night, some of my friends and I made a home-cooked meal at the Choates (a freshman dorm cluster). I think it is therapeutic to cook food on your own in college, especially food that reminds you of home in a place that isn't quite home (yet at least). We then went to our first Greek house party since the frat ban ended this week. The frat ban is a college policy where freshmen are not allowed to enter any Greek houses for the first six weeks of Freshmen Fall. You do not need to be affiliated with a Greek house to enter their parties!
On the day of my birthday, I got an email from Dartmouth Dining Services to say there was a birthday package for me. I was extremely confused at first but it turned out that my family had ordered me cupcakes for my birthday which is a service that Dartmouth Dining provides (red velvet and chocolate cupcakes if you were wondering). It was so nice to have something that I knew came from home!
I also made a point to go to church on my birthday. There is a beautiful church near my dorm where the First Generation Office is and it is always open. On Saturday evening, I watched the movie Top Gun; Maverick at the Black Family Visual Arts Center! It was a really nice experience and the first time I had gone to a movie since I arrived at Dartmouth. I will definitely be on the lookout for more movies.
On Saturday night, I went to another Greek space with a lot of my friends and ended up having the best birthday night! Although, I must mention that daylight savings which happened around 2 AM confused a lot of people that night (another thing that does not happen back home and I doubt I will ever understand).
Ignoring the fact that I am now officially the ugliest number in existence (19), I had the best birthday in this college and I can't wait for the next few years!
Some of my rising senior friends from New York have been in contact with me since graduation, and I've compiled a list of FAQs that might help you better understand life at Dartmouth!
