During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Because my companion was considering enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a large ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He inquired what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I ought to seek a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The Iraqi student 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 right away told my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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