During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Because my companion was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, found a table, and started talking to people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student came up to me and told 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 showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for three years. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the bravery or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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