During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Since my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a big ten-floor structure on the UWS named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, sat down, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The Iraqi student approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but straight off informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a role in Europe where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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