In the late 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had planned a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the university – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student came up to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to reach out at an elite institution and seek a position. Additionally, I had always wanted to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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