During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we got some food, took a seat, and began chatting with people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The engineering student approached me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but immediately told my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a place where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to approach someone at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Critically, that job in New York paved the way for a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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