During the late 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I told him 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 microscopy facility at the university – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The engineering student came up to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off explained to my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where opportunities abound – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in multiple respects. I would never have had the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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