During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my friend was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did for a living, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student approached me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to reach out at an elite institution and seek a position. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a role in Europe where I encountered my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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