During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had planned a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a big 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The engineering student approached me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but right away informed my host 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: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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