In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had planned a two-week stay there en route to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a sizeable ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the dining hall, where we got some food, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat 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 degree in science and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He noted that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for 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 went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that after dark. The Iraqi student approached me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but straight off explained to my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “We can make that happen. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. A perk of the job was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or self-assurance to approach someone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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