During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a large ten-floor structure on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to other diners.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I should apply for a role with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The Iraqi student came up to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but right away informed my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” 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 earn a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the bravery or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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