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CHI-CHI NWOKORIE WITH VINE SAOPA IN THE CCA

There is no denying that the pandemic affected the way humans interact with each other. Being in isolation caused society to lose comfortability in social situations. The pandemic taught us the importance of social connection and human interaction.

A study done by BBC found that loneliness can affect levels of hormones associated with social bonding. According to the article, “humans need plenty of interaction to keep their brains in good order”. While socializing post-pandemic may be difficult, it is important to ease back into socialization seeing as it is critical to individuals and the societies they live in.

The lunch pairing was intended to be a way for students to step outside of their comfort zones and extend their social comfortability. Students submitted the form on the HSENews Instagram to participate in the social experiment during a lunch period. Students who decided to participate arranged a lunch period where they would have their “blind lunch meeting.” The goal with this social experiment was to challenge students to make new friendships using a unique approach. The lunch pairings gave participants the opportunity to make friendships that could potentially go beyond a social experiment.

To make friendships was freshman Vine Saopa’s goal when she signed up. Saopa was looking for a way to make new friends and learn more about her peers. Her match had a similar but different goal in mind.

“[I want] more knowledge about this person,” freshman Chi-Chi Nwokorie said. “I hope to be able to talk to more people I don’t know.”

After discovering their goals, Saopa and Nwokorie were introduced to each other and left alone to enjoy their lunch. When approached about a post interview, it was hard to get a word in as they were so engrossed in conversation.

“The idea of trying something outside of your comfort zone will probably end up fine,” Saopa said. “Because I was really scared but it was literally just [a friendly person].

Consider meeting someone new this year, even if it is a little outside of your comfort zone. Story by Parker Farrand and Nicole Mathenge. Photos by Parker Farrand.