During the late 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later 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 director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a role in Europe where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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