During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Because my friend was considering pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had planned a two-week stay there before heading to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. After dropping our bags, we went directly to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Sitting next to me was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I my profession was, and I explained that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an research lab at the university – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq walked over to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview 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 right away informed my interviewer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his identity, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to pursue education overseas, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a role in Europe where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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