In the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Since my companion was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a large ten-floor structure on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, 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 evening. The engineering student approached me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off explained to 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 anything feels possible – she declared: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in multiple respects. I would never have had the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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