In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Since my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the UWS known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I ought to seek a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The engineering student walked over to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a role in Europe where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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