In the late 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had planned a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a large 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and started talking to people eating there.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that night. The man from Iraq came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a place where anything feels possible – she responded: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in multiple respects. I didn't possess the courage or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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