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 you read this blog, may I suggest listening to "You're on Your Own, Kid" by Taylor Swift as background music. Or not, that's fine too.
College changes you as a person, for better or for worse. That's my take on it, feel free to criticise. Reflecting on my first term at Dartmouth, time seems to be immaterial. It felt like a whole lifetime and a few seconds all at once. I like to say that I packed my entire life into a suitcase when I came here. While I do mean in a physical sense, I also mean in an emotional sense.
At the end of my first term, I feel that I am an undeniably changed individual (hopefully for the better).
There is something both daunting and freeing about living independently. Did it break my heart to leave my family and everything familiar to me behind? Yes, it did. I didn't think I would be as devastatingly upset as I was, but as soon as I got past immigration in the airport, I was basically drowning in a pool of tears. I was alone and afraid, not only because airports stress me out, but because of the life waiting for me 13,718 kilometres away.
Sometimes, the tiniest things leave me in awe of how different my life is now. Waiting in the laundry room for my clothes to dry, waking up to the entire campus covered in snow, making an appointment at Dick's House. The independency that was thrown at me was truly incomprehensible. I found myself suddenly being completely responsible for taking care of myself.
Being an international, first-generation low-income student, I thought I would struggle to stay on the right path at Dartmouth. While there definitely were certain days where I was struggling, I found ways to stay on track. When the library got too intimidating for me, the First Generation Office made me feel at home. When I was feeling homesick, my family was just a phone call away. Whenever things got a bit too difficult, I turned to the amazing friends I have made here.
As the scorch of summer faded and the leaves started changing colours, I was already starting to acquire new skills and traits. As the snow fell on a cold November night, I was starting to think of Dartmouth as home. As I write this now, Dartmouth does feel like home.
I think it is safe to say I live two lives now. My heart is forever split equally between two places. One half on my beautiful island with my family and friends. One half at Dartmouth, still slowly filling up with experiences and memories.
Even though my heart is split, I still feel whole. To all the international '27s who just got in Early Decision, don't worry, you'll be just fine.
In addition to blogging, I work as a Fellow for the Tucker Center, which focuses on promoting spiritual and ethical life on campus. As part of this role, I'm leading the Interfaith Alternative Spring Break Trip. Read on to learn more about my work!
