In the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that role at the university led me to a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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