During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Since my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a large ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but right away informed my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” 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 also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in multiple respects. I would never have had the courage or self-assurance to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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