In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Because my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and started talking to other diners.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role 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 ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately explained to my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in so many ways. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. 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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