During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Since my companion was considering starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a large 10-storey building on the Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and began chatting with other diners.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did for a living, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The man from Iraq walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but right away told my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she responded: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or self-belief to approach someone at an Ivy League university and request employment. 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 paved the way for a job in Zurich where I met my beautiful French husband, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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Whether it's brightening your mood to changing your life, we want to hear about chance encounters that have stuck with you.
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