During the late 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a large 10-storey building on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my host that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where opportunities abound – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Additionally, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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