In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Since my friend was interested in starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had booked a two-week stay there en route to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a large 10-storey building on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and started talking to fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was soon departing 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 after dark. The Iraqi student approached me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she responded: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for three years. A perk of the job was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in so many ways. I didn't possess the confidence or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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