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!
A college education is all about learning new things, about the world and about yourself. It is about discovering what you want to do in life, which I was very conflicted about. I love engineering, but I also love art and architecture, medicine and physics. One of the best ways I could decide what to pursue was through professional work experience. As an international student, I knew it would be a difficult process to get an internship for the summer. Many companies do not want to hire students on a visa, cutting down my opportunities significantly.
Additionally, applying to jobs is emotionally draining, especially when balancing it with a Dartmouth term. It takes a lot of perseverance to keep applying, despite the many rejection emails. I had to remind myself countless times that the right opportunity would come my way. I worked hard to apply to as many opportunities as I could, and made connections along the way.
In February, I attended the All Ivy Environmental and Sustainable Development Career Fair. Dartmouth organised a bus to Columbia University, where it was being held. Each student had to pay $20, which was much more affordable than taking the Dartmouth Coach to New York for $89. The bus left at 5 am and we only got back to campus around 9 pm. I was reconsidering my decision to attend, given that it was during a week with two midterms and multiple assignment deadlines.
Career Fair at Columbia University
After attending, I was so glad I woke up at 4 am to attend this fair because I was able to meet so many incredible people! A hall was set up at Columbia with tens of employers waiting to meet students. It was an all day affair and I got to speak to more than 20 representatives. They were all doing such inspiring work related to my specific career interests.
A list of the many companies represented at the fair!
This career fair is where I met a representative from First Solar, where I am currently interning! I had a great conversation with them and sent a follow up email, thanking them for the opportunity to chat and indicating my interest in their open positions. In late April, they reached out to me to schedule a couple of interviews, after which I was offered a position as an Application Engineering Intern!
There are so many opportunities like this at Dartmouth, where I can meet leaders in the energy industry and explore the many career paths I could take. Recruiting is difficult, and no matter the outcome of your efforts, it is something to be proud of. I would highly recommend keeping an eye out for emails with career fair opportunities and conferences!
Every Dartmouth student is required to demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English. Here's my experience navigating the language requirement!
Unlike some other universities, many of the STEM lecture classes at Dartmouth require concurrent enrollment in a laboratory section. What is it like navigating that time as a student?
