During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a large ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
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 suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to reach out at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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