During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my friend was considering starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we picked up meals, found a table, and started talking to people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – close to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that night. The Iraqi student approached me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to reach out at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know 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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