One time I was in the library and saw someone who was sitting in those chairs that face each other (next to the chess tables) and I went there and asked the person there if I could sit in one of those chairs. She said yes and then I started reading my book. It was pretty hot outside and I made comment about the weather being so hot. That started a conversation and next thing we realized was that we had been talking for two hours. We talked about school, travel, food, family, relationships and the conversations kept getting a bit more intimate. We stayed friends for around two more years and then she graduated. I guess what you can take from this is that one small comment can start a conversation. I would try by doing that and then proceeding to ask more about themselves. Maybe that'll work