In the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a backpacking trip to the European continent with a friend. Because my companion was considering starting a postgraduate program in New York, we had planned a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We arrived at the graduate housing, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the canteen, where we picked up meals, sat down, and started talking to other diners.
Beside me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at Columbia University. He asked me what I did, and I told him that I had recently completed my studies with a scientific background and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at Columbia University – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I didn’t have a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, going back to the cafeteria that evening. The man from Iraq came up to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I attended the interview – but straight off informed my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a place where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for three years. An advantage of the role was that I got free tuition at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity altered my destiny in numerous aspects. I would never have had the bravery or self-belief to reach out at an Ivy League university and request employment. Additionally, I had long dreamed to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a role in Europe where I encountered my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four wonderful sons and daughters. It was a total sliding doors moment. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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