During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and began chatting with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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