In the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my companion was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had planned a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and started talking to people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an research lab at the university – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The Iraqi student came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but immediately explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had always wanted to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that role at the university paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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