In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had booked a two-week stay there en route to London.
We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and started talking to other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the university – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that after dark. The engineering student walked over to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off explained to my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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