During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Because my travel mate was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I should apply for a position with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a city where everything seems achievable – she said: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Moreover, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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