During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was considering enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, found a table, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The engineering student approached me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but right away told my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where anything feels possible – she responded: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” 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 no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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