During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Since my travel mate was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq came up to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that gig at Columbia resulted in a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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