Sitting in a car for six hours to drive from Miami to Gainesville wasn't exactly my idea of a good time. However, if there was one thing I looked forward to it was arriving on campus and meeting new people. I didn't think that by the end of the week I would still be referring to my peers as "that blonde girl" or "the tall guy."

Eva Hibnick, center, takes pictures of the yearbook editors class. Hibinick said she felt SJI's "social time could've been more interactive." (Mark Hartogsohn photo)

   With approximately 80 students participating in the Summer Journalism Institute, I assumed we would all somehow become friends or at least engage ourselves in one conversation with each person. I did not think that by the last full day of the workshop I still wouldn't know more than half the people.
   Several students came to SJI with other people from their schools. This can be comforting on the first day, but in the end becomes a handicap without efforts to overcome it.
   "I think that people who come with other people from their school tend to stay in that comfort zone and meet less people," said Chloe Holdren, a senior at Lincoln Park Academy in Fort Pierce, Fla.
   The fact is, when people go to a summer workshop for any amount of time with someone they already know, their motivation to meet new people is restricted. Although some students who came with others were still eager to make new friends, others did not take the initiative.
   There are many reasons why by the fifth day here several students still feel like strangers. The lack of interaction during the recreational activities is one of these factors.
   "I think the social time could've been more interactive or at least everybody should've done the same thing," said Eva Hibnick, a sophomore at Pine View High in Sarasota, Fla.
   There were several instances where scheduled activities were based on which dorm floor students were staying in. Other times recreation was simply divided into a variety of activities available to the students.
   During one night of recreation the time was spent with participants scattered throughout the campus. Some played volleyball while others were in the swimming pool or went bowling.
   There are many people who are too shy to walk up and make new friends in a different surrounding. The social time we had here could've been more interactive so those of us who are too shy on our own can have that extra push and meet someone new.
   Though credit must be given to the resident advisors and others who helped bring us together this week, many things could be improved. Recreation is an excellent idea to give participants of SJI an opportunity to get better acquainted. However, when students are constantly complaining about the activities or simply remain amongst their circle of friends, this makes the intent difficult to accomplish.
   Perhaps next year during recreation time the resident advisors should pile everyone into a room, close the doors and say, "Play nice."