During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Since my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had booked a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of 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 prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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