During the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my companion was interested in starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a big ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side called International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, found a table, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – close to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I should apply for a job with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away explained to my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his full name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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