During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Because my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I should apply for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but straight off told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in so many ways. I lacked the confidence or self-assurance to approach someone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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