During the late 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Because my friend was interested in 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 big 10-storey building on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Once we unpacked, we went directly to the dining hall, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did, and I shared that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been working on studies with electron microscopy.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I should apply for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq approached me and told me that he had set up a meeting for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but right away told my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was likely not a suitable candidate.
In typical New York fashion – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I held that position for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the courage or self-belief to reach out at an elite institution and seek a position. Moreover, I had long dreamed to pursue education overseas, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person set me on a different course in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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