After graduating in May 2023, Emma Goulet, a physics and psychology double major, received an incredible offer from one of her mentors, Physics Professor Ian Durham, Ph.D., to teach quantum physics to Buddhist monks and nuns as part of the Science for Monks and Nuns program in India for four months.
This initiative, which Durham has participated in three times, offered Goulet a chance to apply her knowledge in an impactful way and without hesitation, she packed her bags for a trip that would change her life forever.
For the first two weeks of the trip, Durham and Goulet stayed at a monastery in Sikkim, India, where Durham taught a week-long intensive course that was the first part of the distance learning program. During his class, Goulet observed and took notes on what he was teaching to help guide her own curriculum. In addition to his help, Durham connected her with some of his colleagues at Continuum in Boston and University of Oxford for additional support.
A typical day at the monastery included: attending class, eating meals together—often consisting of aloo dom, a Nepali potato curry—hiking and exploring the local culture, and building connections with the monks and nuns in the class.
Goulet then traveled to Dharamsala, India, to teach the three-month physics distance learning course to around 60 virtual participants and five in-person attendees ranging from ages 26 - 69. She covered topics like particle physics, quantum physics, mathematics, and the scientific method. Her course provided an enriching learning experience to the Buddhist monks and nuns through hands-on activities and classroom discussions.
Goulet first met Durham as a prospective student during Early Admitted Open House. She and her family spent the day talking with him about his research on free will and by the end of their conversation, he offered her a research position and quickly became her mentor.
“Professor Durham is probably the most influential person in my life. He’s the reason why I went to Saint A’s in the first place. He’s just incredible. He has so many wild connections and intellect,” said Goulet.
During her time on the Hilltop, he consistently supported her academic growth in and out of the classroom. Whether it was through conferences, extra exam prep, or connecting her with experts in the physics field to expand her network, Durham was dedicated to Goulet’s success as a student and now as a professional. This enriching opportunity to move to India was a true testament to Durham’s commitment to his students’ success after graduation.
Goulet’s experience participating in Anselmian B.R.E.A.K. in South Dakota during her junior year also influenced her decision to teach in India. The immersive experience working alongside the Lakota Sioux community gave her a deeper understanding of how interconnected human experiences are. When the opportunity arose to teach quantum physics to Tibetan monastics—a chance to bridge Western scientific traditions with Eastern philosophical frameworks while supporting a community in exile, she was more receptive.
“What struck me most across both experiences was witnessing the resilience of communities facing unimaginable hardship,” explained Goulet. “The Lakota Sioux maintain their cultural identity despite centuries of attempted erasure, while Tibetan monastics and laypeople alike preserve their intellectual and spiritual traditions in exile.
Reflecting on this amazing opportunity, Goulet said, “I really want to keep the culture of the Buddhist communities with me, specifically the ideas of what’s important in life that is generosity and community-based culture. Everyone always had time to get tea for each other, and meals, and share beyond giving. There was so much to learn, and it was so refreshing."
Looking ahead, Durham and Goulet are working together to write a textbook for future courses, which will be translated into Tibetan. The two planned to return to India in April for the 25th anniversary of the Science for Monks and Nuns program.