During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Since my companion was considering pursuing a master’s degree in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a large multi-story edifice on the Upper West Side named International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the canteen, where we grabbed food, took a seat, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Beside me was an individual of Iraqi origin pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He asked me what I did for a living, and I explained 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 electron microscope unit at the institution – right next door to the school of engineering, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I didn’t have a US visa.
The next day I toured the city, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student came up to me and informed me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Because he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but immediately explained to my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where anything feels possible – she responded: “That can be arranged. What's your start date?” I never got on that flight to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. One of the benefits was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I am unaware of his identity, but his selfless gesture transformed my future in numerous aspects. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to approach someone at an Ivy League university and request employment. Moreover, I had always wanted to take classes in another country, but could never have afforded it without that tuition waiver.
What's more, that job in New York paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I got to know my handsome spouse from France, with whom I currently share a family of four kids. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger set me on a different course in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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