Roch Da Silva is one of the most charismatically humorous men you can sit down for dinner with in Commons. Across a Commons table, he can he sweep you away with his perfect French and then perfectly recite the periodic table to you as a scientist in training. Originally from Colombo, Sri Lanka, Roch has called America home for the past four years. Since he is about to graduate, we wanted to share with you this gem before he leaves the Bates campus!
What do you do on your spare time?
I’m someone who never stuck to one thing during my spare time because – I hate to say this – I get easily bored with things. I try to do a lot of different things to keep myself entertained. Usually, I read an unusual book, go to the gym or play squash/tennis. Sometimes I binge watch a series till I get bored of it. But honestly, my favorite thing to do is to relax and to talk with my roomies over a beer or a bottle of wine.
Tell us about what you did that was exciting this year?
This year was really eventful for me. I was in Colombo, Sri Lanka for the first half of January, Paris from mid-January to June and then I have been back in the United States since June. Even though I got to see a lot of Europe during my time there, the most eventful thing I did was drive down from Oregon to LA, and then travel to Michigan with some of my best friends over the summer. I got to see a lot of the beauty of the United States and met a bunch of amazing people.
What are your plans post graduation?
My post graduation plans: I have applied to couple of graduate schools to do a PhD in chemistry hoping to eventually become a scientist. I am still waiting to hear from the schools so I am just keeping my fingers crossed at the moment!
Tell us the synopsis of your life!
Born and bred in Colombo, Sri Lanka, I am somewhat your average Sri Lankan. I moved to the United States for college and I am currently studying Chemistry and French at Bates. I speak just about three and a half languages. I have a knack for chemistry. I love cheese, so you can usually find me looking for cheese near the fridge. My favorite fruit is the smelliest fruit in the world, the durian. I have one sister who is a classy tennis player and who is also probably the biggest diva in the world. I have a love hate relationship with horror movies and I absolutely detest Reeses pieces. I’ve tried so hard to understand American football, but I failed. I still try. Sometimes.
Where are you from and where do you want to go?
I am from Sri Lanka and I hope to go to the some of the most southern points of South America. I have never been to that continent and I feel like there is so much to explore there. Everything looks so pristine there and I am just trying to get there – hopefully soon enough.
What is your favorite place at Bates College/in the world?
My favorite place in the world is Budapest. I have been there a couple of times and I always take a quick step back to just let the awesomeness of the city sink in. I think I really connected to the city when I sat in the corner of a street one day and listened to some Hungarian street performers playing hangdrums. The music was really soothing and calm. You should listen to it.