During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Since my travel mate was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had planned a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the UWS called International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and started talking to fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – adjacent to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The Iraqi student walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to reach out at an elite institution and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I got to know 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 eternally thankful.
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