In the late 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my friend was considering pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had planned a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large ten-floor structure on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, sat down, and began chatting with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I ought to seek a role with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that night. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but straight off explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in numerous aspects. I lacked the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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