In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that night. The Iraqi student came up to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but right away told my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in multiple respects. I would never have had the bravery or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a role in Europe where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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