Meaning: The quote, "I think that after Church got his Ph.D. he studied in Europe, maybe in the Netherlands, for a year or two," attributed to mathematician Stephen Kleene, refers to the influential American mathematician and logician Alonzo Church. Church, known for his significant contributions to mathematical logic and the foundations of computer science, was a pivotal figure in the development of lambda calculus and the formulation of the Church-Turing thesis, which has had a profound impact on the theory of computation.

Alonzo Church received his Ph.D. in mathematics from Princeton University in 1927 under the supervision of Oswald Veblen. Following the completion of his doctorate, Church indeed pursued further studies in Europe, specifically in the Netherlands. This period of study in Europe played a crucial role in shaping his mathematical and logical pursuits, further enriching his knowledge and understanding of foundational concepts in mathematics and logic.

During his time in Europe, Church engaged with prominent mathematicians and logicians, immersing himself in the intellectual milieu of the continent. The Netherlands, with its rich tradition in mathematics and logic, provided an ideal setting for Church to deepen his expertise in these fields. The academic environment in Europe, particularly in the early 20th century, was characterized by vibrant intellectual exchanges and the cross-pollination of ideas, which would have undoubtedly influenced Church's scholarly development.

Church's sojourn in Europe, as suggested by Kleene, likely lasted for a year or two. This period of time would have allowed Church to assimilate advanced mathematical and logical concepts, establish connections with leading scholars, and gain exposure to diverse academic perspectives. It is conceivable that his experiences in Europe contributed to the refinement of his research interests and the maturation of his scholarly outlook.

Upon returning from Europe, Alonzo Church continued to make profound contributions to the fields of mathematical logic and theoretical computer science. His work on lambda calculus, which he introduced in the 1930s, laid the groundwork for the formalization of computation and the development of programming languages. Furthermore, his collaboration with Alan Turing on the formulation of the Church-Turing thesis, which posits the equivalence of different models of computation, has had far-reaching implications for the theory and practice of computing.

The quote by Stephen Kleene not only sheds light on an important phase in Alonzo Church's academic journey but also underscores the interconnectedness of the global mathematical community. Church's experiences in Europe exemplify the cross-continental exchange of ideas and the internationalization of mathematical research, highlighting the collaborative and transnational nature of scholarly pursuits.

In conclusion, the quote attributed to Stephen Kleene provides valuable insight into Alonzo Church's educational trajectory, specifically his post-doctoral studies in Europe, possibly in the Netherlands. This period of scholarly enrichment in Europe likely played a formative role in shaping Church's monumental contributions to mathematical logic and theoretical computer science, underscoring the profound impact of international academic experiences on the development of pioneering mathematicians and logicians.