In the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Because my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I my profession was, and I explained that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The man from Iraq approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off 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 anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in multiple respects. I would never have had the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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