In the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS known as International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and started talking to other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I my profession was, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I should apply for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The man from Iraq came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where opportunities abound – she said: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for three years. A perk of the job was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Critically, that job in New York led me to a role in Europe 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 helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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