In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my companion was considering enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that night. The Iraqi student approached 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 showed up for the discussion – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered 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 forever grateful.
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