In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my companion was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had planned a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The engineering student walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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