During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Because my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had planned a two-week stay there en route to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I my profession was, and I explained that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
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 recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student came up to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away told my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that gig at Columbia resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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