In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for three years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the courage or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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