During the late 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Because my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the UWS known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that night. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where opportunities abound – she declared: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I would never have had the courage or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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