In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Because my companion was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had booked a two-week stay there en route to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a large 10-storey building on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I should apply for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, 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 director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately told my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she declared: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or self-assurance to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university led me to a role in Europe where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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