In the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my companion was considering starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and started talking to other diners.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I explained that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The Iraqi student approached me and let me know 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 straight off told my prospective employer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she responded: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I was granted no-cost classes 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 selfless gesture transformed my future in so many ways. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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