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 am from Sri Lanka, an island all the way over in South Asia. Yet, I did not find the time to take a class related to my background during my first year. The Department of Asian Societies, Cultures and Languages (ASCL) offers a great variety of enriching courses for students to take. The past term I took my first class from the department, which was also cross-listed as an Art History Course.
The course is titled Sacred Architecture of Asia. Given my interest in design and architecture, I was so excited to take this class. When I opened the syllabus for the term, I was a bit nervous, as the class weighted participation as 40%. Many classes at Dartmouth have a participation component, which took some getting used to. After taking a few classes, I realised how important it was to have this component. It keeps the class engaged and interesting for ten weeks. It also facilitates a collaborative environment. The material in this class was so intriguing that I had no problem participating. Apart from participation, there were three quizzes, worth 20% each and two short reading responses. The readings assigned were almost always easily understandable.
My professor, Seher Agarwala was amazing, she studied at Columbia and has a wealth of knowledge. Her teaching style was great and she helped us understand complex material easily. We learnt about the rise of Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam. We explored countless religious sites, monuments and places of worship. Some were so intricately designed and constructed that it is hard to believe its existence.
One of the most mind-blowing places we studied was Borobudur, an ancient complex in Indonesia. Its construction, scale, location and symbols were all examined in detail. I cannot wait to visit the site one day. I gained so much knowledge from this class and I can confidently say that this was my favourite class of the term.
An international student's perspective on Dartmouth's unique and inclusive Greek life culture, exploring the diverse motivations, experiences, and social dynamics behind joining a sorority.
Winterim well spent: from dog walks to nearly skiing in Norway (emphasis on nearly), I've collected my stamps and stories—ready to trade them for textbooks back at Dartmouth.
Starting college in a new country is a big leap, but with orientation programs, cultural connections, and helpful resources, Dartmouth quickly became more than just a campus—it became home.
