During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did, and I shared that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering 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 showed up for the discussion – but straight off told my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she said: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for three years. An advantage of the role was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a role in Europe where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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