During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The Iraqi student walked over to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but right away told my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the bravery or self-assurance to approach someone at an elite institution and request employment. Moreover, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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