In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did for a living, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that night. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but immediately explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Critically, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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