In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a large 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and started talking to people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but straight off told my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a place where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. And, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that job in New York paved the way for a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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