During the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had booked a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I should apply for a role with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately told my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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