During the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my friend was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had planned a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I explained that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The Iraqi student came up to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but straight off told my host that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, 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. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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