In the late 1980s, I was embarking on a low-cost journey to Europe with a friend. Because my travel mate was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a 14-day stopover there before heading to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a large ten-floor structure on the Upper West Side known as International House. After dropping our bags, we made our way to the canteen, where we got some food, found a table, and began chatting with other diners.
Adjacent to my seat was an gentleman from Iraq pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He inquired what I did for a living, and I shared that I had just graduated with a scientific background and had been working on studies using an electron microscope.
He mentioned that there was an microscopy facility at the institution – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He proposed that I consider applying for a job with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was soon departing to Europe and, additionally, I lacked a US visa.
A day later I ventured out, coming back to the dining hall that night. The engineering student approached me and informed me that he had set up a meeting for me with the leader of the research team at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but straight off explained to my interviewer that I lacked the necessary visa, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “That can be arranged. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I worked there for a trio of years. One of the benefits was that I also received complimentary education at Columbia, and I seized the chance to finish a graduate degree in global studies.
We didn't cross paths after that and I don’t even know his name, but his selfless gesture altered my destiny in multiple respects. I lacked the confidence or self-assurance to contact anyone at an elite institution and seek a position. Additionally, I had consistently hoped to study abroad, but could never have afforded it without that free tuition.
Critically, that job in New York paved the way for a position in Switzerland where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share 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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