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!
College is expensive. Extremely expensive. More than I could possibly imagine. When I got accepted into Dartmouth, I was worried about hidden costs and the burden it would pose to my family. However, in my experience so far, Dartmouth has done a great job of funding students in avenues outside of academia.
Firstly, a Dartmouth scholarship not only covers tuition; it covers food, housing, books, fees, and other anticipated costs. A family whose annual income is below $65,000 will have no expected parent contribution. Furthermore, starting from the Class of 2026, Dartmouth is need-blind to international students as well! This means that family income and the ability to pay tuition are not factors in the admissions process.
One way in which Dartmouth helps low-income students is by gifting vouchers for winter clothes. Many students are from areas where winter does not exist, or if it does, it is not cold enough to need harsh winter gear. Therefore, the Dartmouth Financial Aid Office gives out L.L. Bean vouchers worth $300 for low-income students to purchase winter gear.
Surviving the snow with winter clothes from the Sustainability Office!
Furthermore, many activities on campus are free of charge, including trips through the Dartmouth Outing Club! You can go kayaking on the river, hiking, and many more trips that are all fully funded. There are also trips that happen over breaks which you can access funding for as a low-income student.
The Office of Sustainability has great initiatives in this area as well. I was able to get a mini fridge, a full-length mirror, and storage boxes all completely free through one of the sustainability drives! They also hosted a sustainability drive for winter clothes with free winter jackets, boots, scarves, and more.
As I have mentioned in my previous blogs, there are many trips hosted by the Houses which are all free of charge. This term, me and my friends went apple picking, paintballing and to an amusement park through West House! The Hopkins Center for Arts has student discounts on all their tickets too, making it more accessible to students.
A West House paintball trip!
These are just a few examples of how Dartmouth assists students in making a college education more affordable, but I hope it has been helpful to any readers for whom affordability is a concern!
Learn about the different programs Dartmouth offers prospective students to explore campus life, learn about Dartmouth, and enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Hanover!
In addition to blogging, I work as a Fellow for the Tucker Center, which focuses on promoting spiritual and ethical life on campus. As part of this role, I'm leading the Interfaith Alternative Spring Break Trip. Read on to learn more about my work!
Homecoming—a time when current students and alumni gather to relive cherished memories and exhibit large amounts of school spirit. Find out how I spent my second Homecoming Weekend at Dartmouth!
