In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Because my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The engineering student walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but right away told my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the courage or self-assurance to approach someone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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