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!
Solid mechanics is a class all about stress, strain and structure. My favorite part about this class was getting to design, 3D model and construct a wooden bridge from scratch! Using SOLIDWORKS to perform FEA analysis and a laser-cutting machine, my group and I put together a model bridge that held four times more that the desired weight! It was an awesome experience to put our classroom theory into practice. This has been the most exciting engineering class I have taken so far!
Valentine's Day is difficult for many, those who have lost loved ones and those who feel alone on a day where everyone else seems to have companionship. Dartmouth's Valentine's Day celebrations are wholesome and community focused.
Flowergrams, organized by the Class of 2026 class council, are my favourite part! Any '26 can send a rose, a note and some candy to two of their classmates at no cost! The people you choose receive an email to pick up their flowers at the Collis Student Center. While some students choose a romantic partner to give this too, my friends and I always send each other flowers! It has become a well-loved winter term tradition. In similar spirit, the Dartmouth College Marching Band does Bandygrams, where the marching band serenades a person of your choice for a small fee! Nothing beats seeing someone encompassed by the marching band sending a message of love in the middle of the library.
The housing communities partnered together to host a Valentine's Day Formal! The event was a hit for the first-years, with a DJ, food, drinks and many fun games. As an Undergraduate Advisor, I was on duty at the drinks station and got to meet so many new people all dressed in red for the occasion!
One of my favourite events was the Class of '26 Community Dinner hosted by the First Generation Office! The dinner was catered by Tuk Tuk Thai, with each attendee receiving a rose and notecards that they could keep or gift to their loved ones. We also received lots of cool stickers, tumblers and Valentine's Day themed socks!
Class of '26 Community Dinner!
To wrap up an eventful set of days, I stumbled upon Casino Night, hosted by Collis After Dark at the Collis Student Center. I entered a raffle and won a record player!
I am so excited to head to the record store in town and start using this!
Among the many many shows, parties, and events, both Valentine's and Anti-Valentine's themed, I loved the opportunity to show my appreciation and gratitude for all the wonderful people I have in my life here at Dartmouth.
