During the late 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but right away told my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
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. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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