An Compassion of People We Don't Know: The Way a Man I Only Just Encountered Assisted Me Obtain the Role That Altered My Path

In the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Because my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.

We arrived at the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.

Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, and I explained that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.

He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.

The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away told my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.

In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she declared: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I missed my plane to London.

I was employed there for three years. One of the benefits was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a master’s of international affairs.

I never saw that student again and I can't recall his name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.

Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a role in Europe where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.

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