In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Since my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had planned a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but immediately told my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a position in Switzerland where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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