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!
Solid mechanics is a class all about stress, strain and structure. My favorite part about this class was getting to design, 3D model and construct a wooden bridge from scratch! Using SOLIDWORKS to perform FEA analysis and a laser-cutting machine, my group and I put together a model bridge that held four times more that the desired weight! It was an awesome experience to put our classroom theory into practice. This has been the most exciting engineering class I have taken so far!
What could be more fun than building a robot from scratch? Yes, you read that right. Machine Engineering is a core class for mechanical engineering, where we get to design and build a robot! This term, the objective is to build a remote controlled robot that can construct a bridge, with many constraints.
The game board with all the elements needed to build the bridge!
The work is shaping up to be almost a full-time job, with 3D modelling, training, labs, problem sets and exams stacked on top of the project itself. However, I have an awesome team and the work is so exciting! We have already prototyped a functional gripper and are on our way to prototyping the body of the robot next week. Stay tuned for the final design!
Our gripper we designed and prototyped in 2 weeks, using laser cut wood, 3D printed claws and metal gears!
Statistics is probably the most used skill in the workplace. At both my summer internships, I have noticed the importance of statistical analysis and thinking. The course material is so interesting to learn, especially when you start looking at everything around you through a statistical lens! While this is more of a homework heavy and individual-based class, I am excited to learn the materials and become better versed at statistics!
Another art history class! European Art in the Age of Revolution explores exactly what its title describes, diving deep into how art was created and received in this region. This December, I will be travelling to Paris on the study abroad Fall Plus Program "Slow Looking in Paris"! The classroom will be Parisian museums at sites such as The Louvre, the Chateau of Versailles and many more!
One of the decorative arts objects we closely looked at in class! Jean-Claude Duplessis (model maker), Louis-Denis Armand l'aîne (painter), Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, Pot-pourri à Vaisseau, c. 1759. Soft-paste porcelain, with later addition of gilt-bronze base, 17 1/2 x 14 7/8 x 7 1/2 inches. Frick Museum, NYC.
This class is a prerequisite for the study abroad program, with a specific focus on France, and their central role in the art world. I am beyond excited to travel to Paris and experience all the artwork I have been learning about in person.
Dartmouth has an abundance of opportunities that intertwine regular classes with amazing experiences, completely elevating the learning atmosphere!
As I begin my junior year, I feel my time at Dartmouth shifting from exploration to deeper focus, with my studies, experiences, and passions beginning to take clear shape.
One of the most unique traditions at Dartmouth is sophomore summer, where students stay on campus to take classes the summer before their junior year. My sophomore summer has been an incredibly special experience!
New Hampshire is such a glorious state with so much to offer in the fall! Come with me as I explore Plainfield, NH, and go apple picking at Riverview Farms.
