In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at Columbia University – close to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq approached me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she said: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I would never have had the courage or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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