During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Because my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and began chatting with people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that after dark. The engineering student approached me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but straight off informed my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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