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!
Most humans are composed of about 70 percent water. I am composed of about 70 percent tea. Evening tea time is almost a ritual in my day, a way to tell the time and feel at ease. Tea is a staple part of every person's life back home in Sri Lanka, and I am physically unable to shake the urge to drink tea at 4PM. I am sure that even after my four years at Dartmouth, this statement will still be true.
At Dartmouth, wherever there is good tea, I will follow. The Sanborn Library is an exquisite space connected to the main Baker Library. It embodies the dark academia aesthetic, with polished dark wood, old literature books and cozy armchairs. It is the perfect place to get some readings done or even a good nap! With the spell of rainy days that Hanover is giving us, I find myself increasingly pulled towards the atmosphere that Sanborn provides.
To make it even better, the students of Dartmouth have been blessed with Sanborn Tea Time! Every week day from 4PM to 5PM, there is tea served at Sanborn Library. The tea that is served changes occasionally too. This week I had honey herbal black tea, which definitely gave me the motivation I needed at that time of the day. The tea is accompanied by a variety of cookies as well!
The Sanborn tea time has become a part of my Dartmouth experience that is close to my heart. It allows me to experience an hour of calm and serenity in the middle of my day, when I am the most stressed out. It also connects me to my home in a way that is too beautiful to put into words. I managed to convince my friends to join me one day and they loved it too!
My friend Jamylle at Sanborn Tea Time!
If you are a prospective '27 and on campus visiting, I would highly recommend touring Sanborn at 4PM!
I recently visited the Harold Edward Cable Makerspace, a workspace designed for students to create personal projects. Read about some of the different tools available and what I made!
I took advantage of the crisp autumnal weather and vibrant foliage to explore beyond Hanover and cross off an item on my bucket list, just in time for Halloween!
