In the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Since my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and started talking to people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I explained that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The engineering student approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for three years. A perk of the job was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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