In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Since my friend was considering enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a large 10-storey building on the Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, sat down, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I should apply for a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but right away informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. 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 was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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