During the late 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Since my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Beside me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I consider applying for a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but immediately informed my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she declared: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an prestigious college and request employment. And, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university resulted in a role in Europe where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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