Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

In Spring 2025, St. John's University introduced the Global Online Learning Exchange (GOLE) in its Scientific Inquiry class. The course, which is part of the university's core curriculum, focuses on scientific discovery with an emphasis on conceptual quantum physics and its application to nuclear energy. It also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7, aiming for affordable and sustainable energy access worldwide.

The program involved a partnership with Professor Marie-Françoise Fronieux and her electrical engineering students from IUT Université de Lorraine in Longwy, France. French students participated in English as their second language. This collaboration coincided with the centennial of quantum mechanics, recognized by the United Nations as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

The exchange began with a joint Teams meeting where both professors introduced the initiative. Over six weeks, teams from both institutions met synchronously at times they arranged via WhatsApp. St. John’s students presented topics such as superposition and entanglement in quantum physics, while IUT students shared Arduino automation projects that connected theoretical concepts to practical applications. Students continued their discussions informally through videos, presentations, and conversations beyond formal project work.

Intercultural understanding was a key component of GOLE. The program emphasized that cross-cultural teamwork requires observing, making assumptions, testing them through interaction, and adjusting based on outcomes—mirroring the scientific method.

A student described quantum entanglement as “particles sharing information across (vast) distances (without delay).” This idea became symbolic for participants' experiences: despite being separated by geography and culture, they formed meaningful connections.

Another student reflected: “Just like the entangled particles, we were physically hindered in different time zones and cultures altogether, yet we had to work together and communicate effectively to complete the task. And, despite all of these difficulties, something quite surprising occurred. We did, nonetheless, communicate. We talked, even imperfectly, and made do. We shared ideas, learned from each other, and collaborated across distances and differences. As in entanglement on a quantum scale, we were connected even when we weren’t engaging or speaking in real time. That connection, sometimes still and invisible, was nonetheless real and deeply meaningful. It grew stronger with effort and intention.”

The program drew parallels between scientific discovery and intercultural learning by highlighting how both require openness to new perspectives. The experience reinforced that understanding different cultures can broaden one’s view of humanity—echoing Carl Sagan’s observation that astronomy humbles us by revealing our small place in a vast universe.