During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Since my friend was interested in starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, 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 walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately told my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his identity, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or nerve to approach someone at an elite institution and seek a position. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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