In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was considering starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and started talking to other diners.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq came up to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but straight off told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a place where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I didn't possess the bravery or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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