In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Since my companion was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, found a table, and started talking to fellow residents.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I did, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off explained to my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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