During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had planned a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I shared that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – right next door to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a role with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student approached me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off told my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for three years. One of the benefits was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the bravery or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Critically, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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