During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but immediately explained to my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for three years. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or self-belief to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. And, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a position in Switzerland where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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