In the closing decade of the 80s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to Europe with a companion. Since my companion was interested in starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there en route to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a sizeable 10-storey building on the Upper West Side called International House. Once we unpacked, we headed straight to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an gentleman from Iraq studying engineering at Columbia University. He inquired what I my profession was, and I explained that I had newly finished with a scientific background and had been performing experiments involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an research lab at the institution – close to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I ought to seek a position with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The next day I went out exploring, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I went to the meeting – but right away told my prospective employer that I didn’t have a visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. One of the benefits was that I was granted no-cost classes at Columbia, and I took advantage to complete a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his full name, but his selfless gesture changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the bravery or self-belief to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and seek a position. And, I had long dreamed to take classes in another country, but wouldn't have been able to pay for it without that educational benefit.
What's more, that job in New York led me to a position in Switzerland where I got to know my wonderful partner, with whom I now have a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That benevolent individual changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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