During the final years of the 1980s, I was embarking on a budget travel adventure to Europe with a friend. Since my companion was exploring starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had arranged a two-week stay there on the way to London.
We got to the graduate housing, a large multi-story edifice on the UWS called International House. Once we unpacked, we made our way to the cafeteria, where we grabbed food, sat down, and began chatting with people eating there.
Adjacent to my seat was an Iraqi man enrolled in an engineering program at a prestigious New York university. He asked me what I my profession was, and I told him that I had just graduated with a science degree and had been working on studies involving microscopic analysis.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at the university – close to the engineering department, which was how he knew about it. He recommended that I ought to seek a job with them. I laughed it off, telling him that I was about to fly to Europe and, additionally, I did not possess a US visa.
The next day I ventured out, going back to the cafeteria that after dark. The man from Iraq walked over to me and told me that he had arranged an interview for me with the director of the microscopy lab at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I attended the interview – but right away told my host that I was without a work permit, so I was unable to accept the role.
As is common in NYC – a city where everything seems achievable – she responded: “We can make that happen. 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 got free tuition at Columbia, and I seized the chance to earn a master’s of international affairs.
We didn't cross paths after that and I am unaware of his identity, but his incredible act of kindness altered my destiny in multiple respects. I would never have had the confidence or nerve to contact anyone at an elite institution and request employment. Moreover, I had always wanted to study abroad, but lacked the financial means without that free tuition.
Critically, that job in New York paved the way for a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I am raising four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger changed my trajectory in life, and I’m forever grateful.
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