In the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Because my friend was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a large ten-floor structure on the UWS named International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The engineering student walked over to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off told my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “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 was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an elite institution and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
What's more, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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