During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in New York, we had arranged a fortnight visit there before heading to London.
We got to the student accommodation, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side called International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the canteen, where we got some food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at Columbia University. He asked me what I my profession was, and I shared that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at Columbia University – close to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I ought to seek a role with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The Iraqi student walked over to me and let me know that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, 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.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she declared: “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 was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in multiple respects. I didn't possess the bravery or nerve to reach out at an Ivy League university and seek a position. Additionally, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that role at the university led me to a position in Switzerland where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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