During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a travel partner. Since my travel mate was considering starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had planned a fortnight visit there on the way to London.
We reached the postgrad residence, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did, and I shared that I had newly finished with a science degree and had been performing experiments using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. 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. Because he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but immediately informed my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his full name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Moreover, I had always wanted to pursue education overseas, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I now have four wonderful sons and daughters. That encounter altered everything. That helpful person redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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