During the late 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did for a living, and I shared that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – adjacent to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but right away explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I would never have had the bravery or nerve to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. And, I had always wanted to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that job in New York resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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