In the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my companion was interested in starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a big 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I my profession was, and I shared that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the university – close to the engineering faculty, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that evening. The engineering student walked over to 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 showed up for the discussion – but right away explained to my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We can make that happen. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for three years. A perk of the job was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his identity, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in so many ways. I lacked the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that tuition waiver.
Perhaps most importantly, that gig at Columbia led me to a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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