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!
Dartmouth is a place of constant change. Everything is always different, even from one term to the next. This can include the people around you as well.
Freshman orientation week is exceptionally hectic with more than one thousand students trying to make friends and establish a friend group. While it is important to socialize and make friends during orientation, it can be an exhausting process. Remember to take a step back and recharge if you need to. There is also no need to have an established friend "group". You could definitely have a group of friends that you interact with individually!
There may be people at orientation who already know each other, either through social media or childhood connections. It is hard to be a part of a group that already seems established, but I promise you that everyone is getting to know each other just as you are too. There is no reason to feel intimidated by people in your own class! Talk to them; if you like them and want to hang out with them, just ask. If there is not a friendship connection, there is no pressure or obligation for you to continue hanging out with them either!
Your roommates may turn out to be your best friends, too. I know many people who bonded with their roommates and made lifelong friendships. However, I also know countless more people who did not form a close bond with their roommates and functioned perfectly fine sharing a space together. You do not need to force a friendship with your roommates just because you live with them!
The individuals you meet during orientation week could be your best friends at Dartmouth. They could also turn out not to be. Try not to feel pressured into retaining friendships that are not working out for you. My group of friends evolved and expanded significantly from month to month, and I welcomed the changes. I loved forming new friendships, and I was not afraid to let go of ones that were not the best for me.
At a place like Dartmouth, it is important to surround yourself with the best people who will encourage, support and love you just the way you are. To all the incoming prospective students, be open to changes; I promise you that it is worth it.
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!
