During the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a big 10-storey building on the Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I consider applying for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that after dark. The man from Iraq came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but immediately explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a job in Zurich where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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