During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my companion was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did, and I explained that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The man from Iraq approached me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but straight off told my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an elite institution and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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