In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had booked a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that night. The man from Iraq approached me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for three years. A perk of the job was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a role in Europe where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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