PORT ANGELES — Anything can happen in eight months, especially if a person is traveling to six different countries by himself.
Spencer James, a 2004 graduate of Port Angeles High School, is setting out in October to do just that.
James, 20, a junior at the University of Washington, is one of 10 students chosen this year for a Bonderman Travel Fellowship.
The competitive fellowship provides $20,000 for eight months of travel to students in the university’s graduate program or undergraduate honors program.
Almost 180 students applied for the fellowship, and James said he was surprised and elated to get it.
“I’ve always been kind of infatuated with maps and looking at globes,” James said.
He has also had a passion for reading about different cultures and religions, and getting the opportunity to experience them firsthand will be amazing, he said.
Just travel
One of the conditions of the fellowship is that the students can’t pursue any academic study or research while traveling.
However, that doesn’t mean the trip is all fun and games, said Amy Piedalue, a resident of Port Angeles who was chosen as a 2004 fellow.
“Everyone thinks that it’s this happy, fun vacation,” Piedalue said.
“But it’s very challenging.”
The fellows must travel alone and visit at least six different countries and two different regions of the world within eight months.
When Piedalue participated in the program, the fellowship was only four months long.
