During the late 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my companion was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had planned a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a big 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Beside me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I consider applying for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq came up to me and let me know 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 went to the meeting – but immediately told my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she said: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an elite institution and request employment. And, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university led me to a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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