In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Since my companion was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had planned a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for three years. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his full name, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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