During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I consider applying for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but right away explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she responded: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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