During the late 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the canteen, where we grabbed food, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at Columbia University. He inquired what I did for a living, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student walked over to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but straight off told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. 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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