In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Since my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a large 10-storey building on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, returning to the canteen 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 attended the interview – but immediately told my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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