During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a companion. Since my travel mate was considering pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we got some food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with fellow residents.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a degree in science and had been conducting research involving microscopic analysis.
He noted that there was an research lab at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He proposed that I should apply for a job with them. I dismissed the idea, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that night. The man from Iraq came up to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I went to the meeting – but straight off informed my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where anything feels possible – she said: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted complimentary education at Columbia, and I used the opportunity to earn a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his full name, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to reach out at an elite institution and request employment. And, I had always wanted to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that educational benefit.
Critically, that role at the university led me to a job in Zurich where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That benevolent individual set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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