An Kindness of Unknown Individuals: The Way a Gentleman I Only Just Encountered Helped Me Land the Role That Altered My Path

During the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was exploring pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had planned a two-week stay there on the way to London.

We arrived at the postgrad residence, a large ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to other diners.

Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.

He pointed out that there was an microscopy facility at the university – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.

The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The Iraqi student 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. Since he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away informed my host that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where anything feels possible – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.

I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a graduate degree in global studies.

We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his name, but his remarkable generosity transformed my future in so many ways. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. And, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.

Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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