During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my companion was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – close to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university paved the way for a role in Europe where I met 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 always appreciative.
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