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!
Almost all study abroad programs have one week off during the term for travel! Our Dartmouth program in Berlin decided to take us to Pellworm for two days, which is one of the North Frisian Islands off the coast of the North Sea in Germany. It is around 37 kilometres squared and only has 1,200 inhabitants. It has many sheep and cows and produces a lot of renewable energy!
The travel to Pellworm took a long time. We left Berlin around 8:30 am and only arrived at 3 pm. We took two trains, a bus, a ferry and another bus. I was amazed at how serene and peaceful the island was. We stayed at a hotel in Pellworm, where I was surprised to learn how extensive the tourist industry is. However, due to climate change, the island is facing many problems, primarily related to rising sea levels. We learned all about the challenges and potential solutions from the one and only doctor on the island!
After dinner, we headed to the Watt, a mudflat where the tide recedes. Our tour guides led us on a 2-hour mudflat hike! Despite having socks, some of us decided to explore the place barefoot, which I was soon having second thoughts about given the many worms, jellyfish, and snails we encountered. At some points, we even sunk to our knees! Thankfully we had guides, and we were not too worried about it.
Trekking through the mudflats!
The next day we visited a Hallig, which are tiny islands often flooded with the sea. The one we visited only had ten inhabitants, their houses protected by dikes, which is a small wall used to prevent flooding. The only other things we saw on the Hallig were a small souvenir stand and sheep! If I thought Pellworm was small, this was 100 times smaller.
One of the houses on the Hallig!
Later that night we took a walk during sunset and watched a football match with our mudflat guides whom we had befriended! This entire excursion was fully funded by the Dartmouth study abroad program, except for the cost of lunch. Visiting Pellworm was truly a great experience to understand the lives of the people on these islands.
Learn about the different programs Dartmouth offers prospective students to explore campus life, learn about Dartmouth, and enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Hanover!
As an international student, I was hesitant to join Greek Life, but I found a welcoming community. Now, as a junior, I hope to help others find their place too.
This is my fifth term at Dartmouth! Read on to learn more about how my low-income background has played a significant role in my transition to Dartmouth over the past year
