During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Since my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – close to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, returning to the canteen that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately explained to my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I lacked the confidence or self-belief to approach someone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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