Published in Volume 48, Issue 4.
Professor Kirthi Premadasa started working at the UWMC in the Math Department in August of 2008. For his undergraduate studies, Premadasa attended a university in Sri Lanka. Afterward, he came over to the United States for Graduate school at Purdue University and received his doctorate in 2004.
Premadasa went back to Sri Lanka until he took a year-long job at the University of Whitewater in 2007. After this experience, he chose to teach in the University of Wisconsin system. He was offered two different jobs, but ultimately chose Marathon County because it was in the Wisconsin system.
One of the differences that Premadasa has noticed between schooling in Sri Lanka and the United States is that the accessibility to college is great for everyone. People with disabilities have the ability to apply and go through college, whereas in Sri Lanka, those people would not have the opportunity. Despite how schooling is free in Sri Lanka, for those who can get in, he commented how he prefers the U.S. system because everyone has a chance.
Another difference that Premadasa has noticed between the systems is that the U.S. is not as competitive compared to Sri Lanka. In his country, students would go over old quizzes, studies, and, if possible, they would get old exams from prior students to better learn the style of the professor. They would learn the exam style of their professors to be able to “fight the exam.” He feels that American students should be working harder to do the same so they don’t waste their hard-earned money.
The most challenging part of Premadasa’s job is trying to teach concepts that are easy to him to students that are struggling with it. Being a “math geek,” sometimes it’s hard to think outside of that mind frame, without the tools to easily understand said concepts. Despite the challenge, he also finds this to be a very interesting part of his job.
The most rewarding part of Premadasa’s job is knowing that he has made an impact on people’s lives. Students who give him cards at the end of the semester as thanks for the job he has done in helping them learn mathematics. He is glad to know that he’s helped give them the confidence to succeed and says, “I did my best.”
Running is one of Premadasa’s favorite pastimes. Back in Sri Lanka, he enjoyed running, but it was difficult because of the pollution and the crowded streets. For him, running is a good meditation where he’ll think of a math problem and concentrate on that while out. Not only is it good meditation, it’s healthy and can raise money for good causes. Here in Wisconsin, though, he isn’t used to winter running, but he’s thinking about trying the Jingle Bells run next year.
Not only does Premadasa enjoy running, but he also loves music. Over in Sri Lanka, he listened to American music with artists such as Simon and Garfunkel, U2, and R.E.M. and felt a connection to “American culture” through this. He also enjoys working with computers. In addition, he has started to enjoy cooking because he’s been cooking with his wife.
Another hobby Premadasa has taken interest in is acting. He claims to have always been introverted and never knew he could act before, so it was a very wonderful chance when Sarah Rudolph offered him a role in Google: The Musical. He’s also thinking about continuing his acting career someday. This is one thing that coming over to the U.S. gave him—the ability to try things he never knew he could do.