During the closing decade of the 80s, I was beginning a budget travel adventure to the European continent with a friend. Since my companion was considering starting a postgraduate program in NYC, we had booked a 14-day stopover there en route to London.
We got to the postgrad residence, a big multi-story edifice on the UWS called International House. Setting down our luggage, we went directly to the dining hall, where we picked up meals, sat down, and engaged in conversation with people eating there.
Sitting next to me was an Iraqi man pursuing an engineering degree at an Ivy League institution. He wanted to know what I did, and I told him that I had just graduated with a degree in science and had been conducting research using an electron microscope.
He pointed out that there was an electron microscope unit at Columbia University – right next door to the engineering department, which was why he was aware of it. He suggested that I should apply for a job with them. I chuckled at the suggestion, saying that I was about to fly to Europe and, even more importantly, I lacked a US visa.
The following day I ventured out, returning to the canteen that evening. The man from Iraq came up to me and let me know that he had arranged an interview for me with the head of the electron microscope unit at Columbia. Given that he had gone to the trouble, I showed up for the discussion – but straight off informed my host that I was without a work permit, so I was probably wasting her time.
In typical New York fashion – a place where everything seems achievable – she said: “We'll handle it. How soon can you begin?” I missed my plane to London.
I was employed there for 36 months. An advantage of the role was that I got complimentary education at Columbia, and I took advantage to finish a postgrad program in international relations.
I lost touch with him and I don’t even know his name, but his remarkable generosity changed my life in so many ways. I lacked the bravery or self-assurance to contact anyone at an Ivy League university and ask for a job. Moreover, I had consistently hoped to take classes in another country, but lacked the financial means without that educational benefit.
Critically, that gig at Columbia resulted in a job in Zurich where I met my wonderful partner, with whom I currently share four amazing children. This was a pivotal life event. That kind stranger redirected my path in life, and I’m always appreciative.
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