During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a travel partner. Since my companion was exploring starting a postgraduate program in the Big Apple, we had booked a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a big multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He inquired what I did, and I told him that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The man from Iraq came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I attended the interview – but straight off told my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to approach someone at an elite institution and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Critically, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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