In the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a companion. Because my companion was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had arranged a fortnight visit there en route to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a large 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we headed straight to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and started talking to fellow residents.
Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did for a living, and I shared that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the university – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I did not possess a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The man from Iraq approached me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my host that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a city where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his full name, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an prestigious college and seek a position. Additionally, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that job in New York paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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