In the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had booked a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a big multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, sat down, and began chatting with people eating there.
Beside me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He wanted to know what I did for a living, and I explained that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering department, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I consider applying for a position with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that after dark. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but right away told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I also received 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 remarkable generosity changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an elite institution and seek a position. Moreover, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Critically, that job in New York resulted in a job in Zurich where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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