In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Because my companion was considering enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had planned a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I lacked the confidence or self-belief to reach out at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that gig at Columbia resulted in a position in Switzerland where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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