During the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a friend. Since my friend was exploring enrolling in graduate studies in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We reached the student accommodation, a large multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the canteen, where we picked up meals, sat down, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an individual of Iraqi origin enrolled in an engineering program at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I my profession was, and I explained that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at Columbia University – close to the school of engineering, which was the reason he was familiar with it. He suggested that I should apply for a position with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, more critically, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that night. The Iraqi student came up to me and informed me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but right away told my prospective employer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition 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 selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that gig at Columbia resulted in a role in Europe where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I now have a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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