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!
The sequel to Drawing 1! Undoubtedly harder, but definitely a great class. I can now say, with confidence, that I am able to paint a mango successfully.
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.
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.
Move to Europe for 3 months? Live with a new family? Commute to classes? Why not! A study abroad in Berlin sounded exciting, invaluable and also daunting at the same time. I already uprooted my life to move to America, but the thought of moving to Berlin felt entirely different. I would miss all the people I love on campus and be outside my comfort zone at Dartmouth. However, what is Dartmouth if it isn't supposed to push me to try new things?
The Green City Berlin program pairs students with a host family based on habits, interests and priorities. They also take specific requests into consideration! I requested to be near other students, and I live on a street with three other students. My host family is a couple, an art historian and an architect, whose children have moved out of the house. They are amazing hosts and make me feel so welcome in their home.
I have my own room with more than enough space for myself and my belongings. My room has a work desk overlooking their beautiful garden! Host families are required to provide students with breakfast and dinner on weekdays and all meals on weekends. My host family and many host families in this program eat little to no meat. This is something foreign to me, and I initially found it difficult to adjust to. However, after a week or so I got used to the cuisine and style of cooking. They constantly ask me what I like to eat and are ready to help me with anything I need.
We try to communicate mostly in German but do switch to English when we are discussing topics that I do not have the capacity to discuss in German. They are very patient with my German and help me with grammar and sentence structure when they can!
I lived with a temporary host family for a week while my permanent host family went on vacation and they were incredibly nice too. They even let me borrow their rollerblades to use during my time here!
The next Berlin Green City program runs in the Spring Term of 2026. I know it can be daunting to move away from everything you know to live with a different family. Because I stepped outside of my comfort zone, I have loved my stay with my host family in Berlin and it is worth exploring!
Green Key is one of Dartmouth's major spring festivities, bringing two popular music artists to our Gold Coast Lawn. My weekend was filled with friends and fun!
What an incredible spring! This term was undoubtedly my favorite that I've experienced thus far, and as I wait to board a flight back to campus for a highly anticipated Sophomore Summer, I reflect on everything that allowed this spring term to bloom.
Dartmouth's most anticipated spring tradition is over, prompting an influx of Green Key posts from Dartmouth students online (including this one from myself)! Join me as I reflect on the most memorable parts of this weekend!
