During the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Because my companion was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.
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 did for a living, and I explained that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – close to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an elite institution and seek a position. Moreover, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a position in Switzerland 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 always appreciative.
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