During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big ten-floor structure on the UWS known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the university – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she said: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the confidence or self-assurance to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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