During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and started talking to fellow residents.
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 scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting 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 immediately informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got no-cost classes 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 full name, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in multiple respects. I would never have had the bravery or self-assurance to approach someone at an elite institution and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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