During the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was exploring starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – close to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The Iraqi student walked over to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and request employment. Moreover, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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