Raymond Tyler, a recent graduate of North Carolina Central University and a participant in The New York Times Student Journalism Institute at Dillard University in New Orleans, looks through a previous issue of the institute newspaper on Monday, May 18. The student journalists publish a newspaper online and a final printed version at the end of the two-week program. (Dale W. Clarke II/The New York Times Student Journalism Institute)

I’ve dreamt of attending the New York Times Student Journalism Institute since I found out about it as a freshman two and a half years ago.

Wait, scratch that. Dreams are hopeful bits of the future we accept as possible. I wasn’t hopeful – I knew it was going to happen. I’ve envisioned myself at this institute since I knew it existed.

I’m here now – well I’m in my room (Dillard has the sweetest student apartments, by the way) – and I have a sneaking suspicion that these few moments I’m spending to write this blog are going to be the only conscious ones I have of this room. Apparently, I’m in for a doozie.

Upperclassmen on the Howard newspaper staff, or “Hilltop old-heads,” as I prefer to call them, were the first to relay the horror stories of late nights and early mornings with interviews, blogs, audio clips and pounds of fast food to fuel the chaos sprinkled in between. Those stories revved my engines.

How exhilarating is it to be in New Orleans, show off and gain new journalistic skills and work with REAL-LIFE editors of The New York Times?

I couldn’t paint a better picture of Heaven if I tried.

My initial desire, of course, was to come here to show everyone how good I was. Now, that’s not important. What intrigues me most is finding out how good everyone else is.

My hours here don’t even make up a day yet, but there is no doubt that this institute, and the people participating in it especially, show special promise. It makes journalism seem a little more human to see everyday young people whom I can identify with (in ways more than journalistic) exude passion and confidence in their journalistic ventures. Journalism isn’t something done by the big scaries of the world; I do it. These 21 people I’m here with do it . . . and I can’t wait to see what they’re going to bring.

Oh, and the staff – AMAZING! They are young and/or young-hearted, full of experience and insight and ready to help us in any way possible. They aren’t old, stuffy or bland (how I imagined them to be), but full of personality. They make me feel like I could be in their shoes one day, maybe.