Spencer Boyer has traveled abroad quite a bit, but it was a recent visit to the nation's capital that proved to be a life-altering experience for the Wareham Middle School eighth grader.

Spencer was chosen to represent Massachusetts in Washington, D.C., at the World Leadership Forum, a part of the People to People Ambassador Program.

"It's mostly a politics thing. What you do is meet people," from all over the country and the world, according to Spencer. It's also about learning how "to be a leader and...making sure you can lead a business, or even the entire country."

Over the course of his trip, he visited numerous monuments and memorials, met congressmen, and attended a dinner at the Saudi Arabian embassy.

Spencer is a curious boy who is deeply interested in learning about other cultures. He read the Koran in an attempt to better understand Islam, and is currently in the process of teaching himself Arabic. He says that, when he was younger, a friendship with a Jewish girl sparked an interest in Judaism.

"I remember when I was little...I wanted to be Jewish so bad," he says with a smile.

Why? As one example, he said that he found the traditions surrounding the celebration of Chanukah more interesting than decorating a Christmas tree.

While he's a smart kid with a voracious appetite for knowledge, dealing with people hasn't  always been his strength.

"In school, I'm very shy so I [went] to get more comfortable around people and talk," said Spencer.

Spencer is also in Boy Scout Troop 55, and is already getting close to earning Eagle Scout status.

A guidance counselor signed him up for the ambassador program. When his mother Sharon got the invitation in the mail inviting him to Washington D.C. based on his demonstration of "scholastic merit, leadership potential, [and] demonstration of outstanding citizenship," she was caught a bit off guard.

"I was shocked," she says.

Sharon herself has a healthy dose of curiosity flowing through her veins, and says that at the tender age of 15, Spencer has already accompanied his parents on trips to 73 foreign countries.

"Seventy-four if you count the embassy," Spencer chimed in.

But who's counting?

Since going on the trip, Spencer has managed to overcome what was once overwhelming shyness.

"Just last week I had to do a presentation in front of the whole class and it actually went very well," he said. "The last time I went in front of a large group of people my legs started to shake, and I started to sweat."

He credits his experience with the ambassador program with helping him to grow and be less fearful of public speaking in a very short period of time.

"If I wasn't chosen to be in this program, I wouldn't be myself today."