During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Because my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had booked a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – close to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I should apply for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that after dark. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to reach out at an elite institution and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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