In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Since my companion was considering enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the UWS known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The engineering student walked over to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately told my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she responded: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I would never have had the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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