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 Dartmouth year is hectic. It involves 30 weeks of academic rigor, while also being socially involved on campus. Freshman year, with orientation and an introduction to an entirely different environment, is even more challenging. Towards the end of the Spring term, I felt myself getting academically exhausted (aka burnt out). My classes this term were intellectually demanding and it took a lot of dedication and consistency to maintain the grades I wanted. To me, a year of hard work warranted a well-deserved break in the summer. I decided to go back home to Sri Lanka, to see my family and spend time in a tropical climate.
Surrounded by my brilliant friends at Dartmouth who are all pursuing internships and jobs this summer, I felt some pressure to do the same. I felt that I was taking it too easy by going home and that I should be working much harder than I am right now. However, I realised that my path does not need to be exactly the same as everyone around me. Internships are great, but I will always have the opportunity to do one the next year and the year after that!
Going back home for one summer after my first year of college as a first-generation, low-income student is perfectly reasonable. Being thousands of miles away from everything familiar to me was difficult. Returning for a moment to the familiar people, weather, food and language is a great break before I start my sophomore year. As I am about to return to Dartmouth as a staff member for FYSEP 2023 (First-Year Summer Enrichment Program) in August, I am making the most of the last few weeks of this break. This is me telling you that it is perfectly okay to take some time for yourself, to spend time with family and friends after your freshman year, even if it may not seem like the most productive choice at the moment. I promise it is worth it.
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!
