During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Because my friend was considering enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I should apply for a role with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The Iraqi student approached me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but straight off informed my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a place where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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