In the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Since my friend was considering pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a big 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I explained that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – close to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that night. The Iraqi student walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away told my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Moreover, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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