In the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS called International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at Columbia University – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The Iraqi student approached me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but right away explained to my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where opportunities abound – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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