During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Since my friend was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big ten-floor structure on the UWS named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, sat down, and began chatting with people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He recommended that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The man from Iraq walked over to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had taken the effort, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a master’s of international affairs.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that role at the university resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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