In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my friend was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the UWS known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately told my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for three years. An advantage of the role was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Critically, that job in New York paved the way for a job in Zurich where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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