During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had planned a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that night. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately explained to my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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