During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Since my travel mate was interested in starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had planned a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I explained that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I ought to seek a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The man from Iraq came up to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but right away explained to my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Critically, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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