During the closing decade of the 80s, I set out on a backpacking trip to Europe with a companion. Since my travel mate was interested in pursuing a master’s degree in the Big Apple, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We arrived at the student accommodation, a large ten-floor structure on the UWS known as International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been performing experiments with electron microscopy.
He noted that there was an research lab at the university – adjacent to the engineering faculty, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I consider applying for a role with them. I dismissed the idea, explaining that I was soon departing to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, coming back to the dining hall that night. The man from Iraq approached me and told me that he had organized a discussion for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Since he had made the arrangement, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
Reflecting the city's spirit – a city where opportunities abound – she responded: “We'll handle it. When can you start?” I didn't board the aircraft to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I also received no-cost classes at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
We didn't cross paths after that and I can't recall his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in so many ways. I didn't possess the bravery or self-assurance to approach someone at an elite institution and request employment. Additionally, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
What's more, that job in New York resulted in a role in Europe where I met my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m eternally thankful.
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