During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, sat down, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I explained that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an research lab at the university – close to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The Iraqi student approached me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately explained to my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-assurance to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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