During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had planned a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with people eating there.
Beside me 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 degree in science and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The man from Iraq came up to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an elite institution and seek a position. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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