In the late 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had planned a two-week stay there en route to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way 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 gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, 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 research lab at the institution – close to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I should apply for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that night. The engineering student walked over to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his name, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or self-belief to reach out at an elite institution and ask for a job. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have 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 always appreciative.
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