The Generosity of Unknown Individuals: How a Man I Only Just Encountered Supported Me Land the Role That Changed My Life

During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Since my travel mate was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.

We reached the graduate housing, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to other diners.

Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.

He mentioned that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.

A day later I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The Iraqi student walked over to me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but right away explained to my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.

In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. 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 free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a graduate degree in global studies.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.

What's more, that gig at Columbia led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my beautiful French husband, with whom I now have four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.

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