In the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Because my friend was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the university – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student walked over 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 made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately told my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the courage or self-assurance to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
What's more, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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