In the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Because my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, found a table, and started talking to other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The Iraqi student approached me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but right away told my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she responded: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Critically, that job in New York resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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