In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a companion. Because my companion was considering starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York 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 involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that night. The Iraqi student walked over to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away told my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I lacked the courage or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and request employment. And, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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