During the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Because my companion was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had planned a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big ten-floor structure on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the dining hall, where we got some food, took a seat, and started talking to other diners.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a place where anything feels possible – she said: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or nerve to reach out at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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