During the late 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Since my companion was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had planned a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to people eating there.
Beside me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off told my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or self-assurance to approach someone at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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