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!
The 4th of July: All of the movies show hot dogs; sparkly red, white, and blue outfits; and fireworks! Never did I imagine that I would be living in the US for this holiday. Last year I traveled back home for the summer and was not here for the celebrations.
This summer, I am not in Hanover; I am interning at First Solar: a solar manufacturing company! This is one of my "off-terms" while at Dartmouth, meaning I have the flexibility to travel the US and have an internship! My managers at First Solar allowed me to work remotely for a week to travel; I went to Seattle to visit some friends and family for the 4th of July and the long weekend!
To watch the fireworks last Thursday, I went to the Gasworks Park, a public park on the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant. It was extremely crowded and at max capacity, but I soon understood why. I got a good spot on a hill facing the water, where the fireworks were being launched off a boat. The whole show lasted around 15 minutes and it was the best fireworks show I have ever seen!
The fireworks from my viewpoint at Gasworks Park!
The next day, I visited the Pike Place Market, a famous market that spans nine acres. It was founded in 1907, and it boasts a great number of farmers, florists, and small businesses—making it a bustling and exciting place. Given my love for markets, I had to check it out. I ended up spending more than two hours at the market, exploring the food and art! The market is renowned for its fresh fish and seafood. I got to witness the vendors throwing fish back and forth to each other while I was there!
Over the weekend I explored University Village, a shopping center with cute stores and restaurants. I visited the Space Needle and the Ferris wheel down by the water and walked around downtown Seattle. The weather was warm and sunny, pleasantly not living up to my expectations of a rainy Seattle!
While in Seattle, I visited Dartmouth friends who are also on an "off-term" this summer, interning at tech companies. Whichever city I travel to in the United States, I am bound to meet Dartmouth students from all the wonderful communities I am a part of in Hanover. I had a great week in Seattle and would love to return sometime!
Some of my rising senior friends from New York have been in contact with me since graduation, and I've compiled a list of FAQs that might help you better understand life at Dartmouth!
