In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my companion was considering enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – right next door to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that night. 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 taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately informed my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she said: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
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-assurance to approach someone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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