In the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Because my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had planned a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a big ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a position 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 next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq approached me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but right away explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his identity, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college 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.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university resulted in a position in Switzerland where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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