In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Since my friend was interested in starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we got some food, took a seat, and began chatting with people eating there.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that after dark. The Iraqi student walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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