During the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was interested in starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had planned a two-week stay there en route to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to people eating there.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I consider applying for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The engineering student came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off informed my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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