In the late 1980s, I set out on a low-cost journey to the European continent with a friend. Since my travel mate was interested in enrolling in graduate studies in the Big Apple, we had arranged a fortnight visit 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 made our way to the cafeteria, where we picked up meals, sat down, and started talking to people eating there.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq enrolled in an engineering program at Columbia University. He inquired what I did for a living, and I told him that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He mentioned that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I consider applying for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq approached me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Because he had taken the effort, I went to the meeting – but immediately explained to my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I never got on that flight 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.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in so many ways. I would never have had the bravery or self-assurance to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that free tuition.
What's more, that gig at Columbia resulted in a position in Switzerland where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four amazing children. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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