In the late 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was considering enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had booked a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Beside me was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where everything seems achievable – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the courage or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. And, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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