In the late 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a companion. Because my travel mate was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, took a seat, and started talking to people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at Columbia University – close to the school of engineering, which was how he knew about it. He suggested that I should apply for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, returning to the canteen that night. The Iraqi 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. Since he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately informed my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a city where anything feels possible – she responded: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I also received free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to earn a master’s of international affairs.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his full name, but his incredible act of kindness transformed my future in so many ways. I didn't possess the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an elite institution and ask for a job. And, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that job in New York paved the way for a job in Zurich where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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