During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a big multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student approached me and told me that he had arranged an interview 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 right away explained to my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to approach someone at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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