During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Since my friend was considering starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but straight off informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for three years. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-assurance to approach someone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four amazing children. 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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