In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Because my companion was considering pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – right next door to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that evening. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off explained to my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked 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 finish a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or nerve to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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