In the late 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a companion. Because my friend was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a big 10-storey building on the Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about 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, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a place where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the confidence or nerve to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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