In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The Iraqi student walked over to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for three years. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the confidence or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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