During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an research lab at the university – right next door to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq approached 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 taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away told my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or nerve to reach out at an elite institution and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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