In the final years of the 1980s, I set out on a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in New York, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a large ten-floor structure on the UWS known as International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – adjacent to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I ought to seek a position with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was heading off to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that evening. The Iraqi student walked over to me and let me know that he had organized a discussion for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but right away told my host that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his identity, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I lacked the courage or nerve to reach out at an prestigious college and ask for a job. Moreover, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
What's more, that gig at Columbia paved the way for a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have a family of four kids. That encounter altered everything. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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