During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a two-week stay there en route to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student came up to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off told my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an prestigious college and seek a position. And, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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