During the late 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I consider applying for a role with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me 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 explained to my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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