During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Because my friend was considering starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had booked a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a big ten-floor structure on the UWS called International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I shared that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – close to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but right away explained to my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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