During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had booked a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the canteen, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the institution – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The Iraqi student came up to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, 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.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “We can make that happen. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in multiple respects. I would never have had the confidence or self-belief to reach out at an prestigious college and seek a position. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university led me to a role in Europe where I encountered my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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