During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Beside me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I consider applying for a role with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in multiple respects. I would never have had the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that job in New York led me to a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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