In the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq approached me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away told my host that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I held that position for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the courage or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that role at the university paved the way for a role in Europe where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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