In the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Because my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a two-week stay there en route to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.
Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – close to the school of engineering, 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, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The engineering student approached me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off told my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a place where everything seems achievable – she responded: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position 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 complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I lacked the confidence or self-assurance to reach out at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that job in New York paved the way for a role in Europe where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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