During the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but immediately told my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where everything seems achievable – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in multiple respects. I would never have had the courage or self-assurance to approach someone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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