In the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did, and I explained that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the university – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a role with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The engineering student walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but right away informed my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe where I got to know my beautiful French husband, 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 always appreciative.
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