During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my friend was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We reached the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the UWS called International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I my profession was, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – close to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was about to fly to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that night. The man from Iraq approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but right away informed my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a place where everything seems achievable – 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. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and request employment. And, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that job in New York paved the way for a role in Europe where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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