During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Because my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had booked a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a big 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and started talking to fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – close to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately told my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she declared: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in multiple respects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that job in New York resulted in a position in Switzerland where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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