UF sophomore Spencer Duhm fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams this past fall.
But it wasn't the fake internship in Chicago he told his friends about.
Duhm, 20, was cast in October for the newest season of "Survivor," the youngest person ever to appear on the reality game show in which contestants compete in the wilderness for $1 million.
However, throughout filming, Duhm kept his involvement a secret until the cast was released on Jan. 13. The Chicago internship was his alibi.
"I always planned on applying as soon as I became old enough," said Duhm, who was 19 during the filming of the show.
This was the first season CBS lowered the age limit for applicants from 21 to 18.
Duhm, who said he was obsessed with the show, said he's been a fan since its debut in 2000.
He said the show appeals to him because of its intense competition as well as the mental and physical tests the contestants go through.
While appearing on the show has always been an ambition of his, Duhm said he didn't do it just for the experience; he planned to win.
"Everything is a competition to me," he said. "I knew there would be some instances where I would have to lie, and I wasn't going to try to be everyone's best friend."
Duhm's familiarity with the intricacies of the game was perhaps his biggest advantage going into "Survivor," he said. But his experiences on sports teams, including the UF crew team, taught him to deal with the mental ups and downs that accompany challenges.
"As I watched the contestants on previous seasons, I knew that if they could do it, then I could definitely do it," Duhm said.
But however prepared he felt going into the show, Duhm said he couldn't entirely relate the experience to anything else.
He said even the physical demands of crew couldn't compare to "Survivor."
"In sports you're expected to exert yourself in practice and during competitions," he said. "But on 'Survivor' there is no reprieve and no escape."
To participate in the show, Duhm withdrew from his classes last semester. But the telecommunications major said temporarily leaving UF wasn't a difficult decision as soon as his parents lent their support.
UF political science major David Carlson, also a member of UF's crew team, said Duhm has key characteristics that would allow him to be successful on the show, including a personable demeanor and fanaticism.
"He's the biggest 'Survivor' fan I know," Carlson said. "If we were ever out of town for crew, we would always have to be back at the hotel and quiet by 8 p.m. so he could watch the show."
Duhm was one of 16 contestants chosen for season 18, which was filmed in Brazil, and while he doesn't know who won yet - the winner is announced on the finale in May - he does know what he would do with $1 million.
"I want to help my parents retire and pay for graduate school," he said. "And the crew team really needs a new boathouse."
The 18th season of "Survivor" premieres on CBS on Thursday, Feb. 12.
