In the late 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Because my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did for a living, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I should apply for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that after dark. The Iraqi student approached me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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