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!
It's Homecoming Weekend at Dartmouth! If you want the short version- fire, food, fun. If you are interested in the long version- keep reading!
Homecoming is a weekend when alumni and family come to campus to celebrate and reminisce. The theme this year was celebrating fifty years of women's athletics.
Fun fact: The Class of 2026 will be the fiftieth co-ed class to graduate!
The bonfire tradition dates back more than a century and is easily one of the biggest (and brightest) events of the year. It is a huge contraception made out of extremely dry wood that bursts into flames and lasts for hours. As dangerous as this may sound, there are many safety precautions taken, so no student is in danger of getting harmed by the fire.
At the bonfire!
We walked around the entire campus, stopping at each freshman dorm to pick up fellow students, and then headed to the bonfire together. The freshman class walked around the bonfire once (though some did run around 26 times as per tradition). The fire is so large that it warms up the entire green, which was so welcoming in this freezing October weather. The bonfire is built and lit by the incoming freshman class, the 26's!
The next day was the Homecoming Game, Dartmouth vs. Harvard! All games grant free entry to Dartmouth students. Even though we did not win the game, it was still a good place to be (totally not because of the free pizza and Dartmouth merch).
Dartmouth vs. Harvard!
Homecoming weekend happens to also fall on Halloweekend! Coming from a place where Halloween is not celebrated, it was surprising to me to see how much importance is placed on it here. You could find people dressed as everything you can and cannot imagine; ranging from a simple devil to a bottle of ketchup.
There are plenty of Halloween-themed events to attend such as pumpkin carving and horror movie nights! The best decorations I have seen are at the Class of '53 Commons (aka FOCO). Even though classes are extremely demanding at Dartmouth, there is always time to take a break and enjoy a weekend steeped in Dartmouth tradition, and probably the biggest fire you will ever see.
As a Digital Media Student Director for Dartmouth's First-Generation Office, it is my role on campus to amplify first-gen voices, foster community, and create meaningful connections through creative outreach.
This fall, Dartmouth provided me with incredible opportunities to get involved in politics. I registered as a New Hampshire voter, joined civic organizations, canvassed, and more! Read on to follow my journey leading up to Election Day!
