In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a companion. Since my companion was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big ten-floor structure on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting 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 straight off informed my host that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. A perk of the job was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I am unaware of his identity, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or self-belief to reach out at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York resulted in a role in Europe where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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