During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had booked a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately informed my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York resulted in a role in Europe where I met 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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