During the late 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a companion. Because my friend was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had booked a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS called International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a job with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The engineering student came up to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for three years. 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 name, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in numerous aspects. I would never have had the courage or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Critically, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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