James Cowan has traveled the world, spending time in the wilds of Borneo, Aboriginal communities in Australia and tribes in North Africa.

Now the Australian native will be saying “G’ day” to MSU.

The Residential Option in Arts and Letters, a two-year program for freshmen and sophomores from different disciplines in humanities, will be hosting Cowan on Wednesday for a lecture in the Union Gold Room.

“He’s imbued with a combination of European and Aboriginal perspectives,” said Arthur Versluis, acting director of the humanities program and associate professor of American Thought and Language.

Versluis said Cowan’s speech will focus on the relationship between creativity and spirituality.

First published in 1964, Cowan’s work has been translated into dozens of languages. It ranges from poetry and fiction to art criticism, children’s fiction and autobiography.

Cowan writes about wherever his work takes him. Ultimately, his experiences with tribal peoples form the basis for his writing. His numerous, internationally acclaimed books include “A Mapmaker’s Dream” and “Letters from a Wild State.”

“The work is a bit risky and dangerous,” Cowan said of his writing. “It’s looking toward the future rather than the past.”

Cowan said he’ll be bringing students a sense of the possibilities and challenges that the imaginary world - a perspective he brings with him from his travels - can offer them.

Working as a letter boy for the United Nations at the age of 18, Cowan initially decided to become a writer while sitting in New York, reading the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson. He said his fiction is influenced by French intellectuals such as Michaux and Camus. Cowan will be visiting MSU for nearly two weeks.

During that time, he’ll also be addressing International Studies and Programs students and faculty on Australian Aboriginal traditions and concepts Wednesday at the International Center. Cowan will also participate in a roundtable discussion at the MSU Writing Center on Monday.

Kendra Sredzinski, assistant coordinator for Residential Option in Arts and Letters, said she’s excited about Cowan coming to MSU.

“We’ve been anticipating him all semester,” the Spanish senior said. “We’re hoping he can show the creative process - how he can apply where he’s been to his writing and transform his experience.”