Shanela Ranaraja
<p>My name is Lalini Shanela Ranaraja. I grew up in Sri Lanka, a tropical island-nation blessed with perpetual summer, and yet I ended up going to college nine thousand miles away, in Rock Island, Illinois! I’m studying anthropology, journalism and creative writing because I couldn’t pick just one. In my spare time, I dabble in languages (I speak four), browse art supply stores, and people-watch. I require at least one long, rambling walk a day, even if there’s eight inches of snow on the ground.</p>
Blogs by Shanela Ranaraja
Heiligdommen Herinnerd/Sanctuaries Remembered
In my last post, I wrote about how Amsterdam helped me find answers. However, in the two weeks since arriving home, I’ve realized that Amsterdam also gave me...
Butterflies, Crossroads, The Universe: Answers I've Found In Amsterdam
Am I doing enough to create the world I want to live in? Am I striking the right balance between exploring the world as long as I can and still maintaining my...
Different Dreams: Reflections From Day 104
As your time abroad comes to an end, remember that people dream differently.
From Molukkenstraat To Steve Bikoplein: Imperial Echoes On Amsterdam’s Streets
A multicultural and gentrifying neighbourhood in Amsterdam-Oost. A remote archipelago east of Indonesia. What do these two places have in common? A name - and a...
Everything Is Art: Chasing The Lights At Eindhoven GLOW
In many ways, Eindhoven GLOW is the polar opposite of the festivals I grew up with. But light and life are becoming art here, and that’s familiar enough for me...
APPsterdam: Reluctantly Going Digital With The Dutch
I’ve always been a little wary of new technology, but I can’t deny that life in Amsterdam is easier with some of these apps on my screen.
Notitieboekje Gedachten/Notebook Thoughts
There are entire worlds in a notebook. Allow me to share some fragments from mine, gathered during my first month in Amsterdam.
Ceylon/Nederlands: Reconciling My Lankan Present With The Dutch Colonial Past
There’s no doubt that each individual from a former colony will confront this part of their history differently. But I’ve felt the reverberations of colonialism...
On Making The Most Of That Study Abroad Magic
Two weeks into my stay in Amsterdam, I've realized that taking stock of how improbably miraculous some days can be is essential to surviving those other days...
Evolution, Not Escape: Approaching Amsterdam
Some thoughts on the heady privilege and dizzying responsibility of preparing to evolve through study abroad.