In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a big 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – adjacent to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I consider applying for a role with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The man from Iraq came up to me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but right away explained to my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his full name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in multiple respects. I lacked the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an prestigious college and request employment. Additionally, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
What's more, that role at the university paved the way for a role in Europe where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, 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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