During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my companion was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a sizeable 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, sat down, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree 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 science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. 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. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in multiple respects. I would never have had the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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