During the final years of the 1980s, I was beginning a low-cost journey to Europe with a travel partner. Because my travel mate was considering starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there on the way to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the Manhattan's Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the canteen, where we grabbed food, sat down, and engaged in conversation with other diners.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man studying engineering at a prestigious New York university. He inquired what I did, and I explained that I had newly finished with a degree in science and had been conducting research with electron microscopy.
He mentioned that there was an research lab at the institution – right next door to the engineering faculty, which was why he was aware of it. He recommended that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, explaining that I was heading off to Europe and, more critically, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I went out exploring, returning to the canteen that night. The engineering student walked over to 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 went to the meeting – but right away informed my host that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a metropolis where opportunities abound – she declared: “That can be arranged. When can you start?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. An advantage of the role was that I was granted free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to complete a graduate degree in global studies.
I never saw that student again and I can't recall his full name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in numerous aspects. I didn't possess the confidence or self-belief to reach out at an elite institution and request employment. Moreover, I had always wanted to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Perhaps most importantly, that role at the university paved the way for a role in Europe where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising a family of four kids. It was a total sliding doors moment. That helpful person changed my trajectory in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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